TicketsReturning to his hometown of Cincinnati in the Spring of 2019, Bryan Cook has proven to be one of the most important members of the Bearcats secondary. Through six games, the starting safety for the Bearcats has tallied 34 tackles, a sack and an interception this season. A transfer from Howard, Cook is in his third season as a member of the Bearcats. In just six games this year, he has already surpassed his number of tackles, sacks, tackles for loss, interceptions and pass breakups from his previous two seasons combined. Look for Cook to continue making a difference on Saturdays as this Bearcat secondary continues to dial it in week in and week out.
So, you are from Cincinnati, and initially you went to Howard for a few years then transferred back in the Spring of 2019. What went into that decision and how nice was it to come back and play for the Bearcats?
"A conversation was had with my old coach, because I am very close with him. I talked to him and weighed my options, and it was a blessing that UC reached out to me two weeks before I was going to decide where to go. I knew I had to work my butt off to find the respect level of the players and coaches here. Playing time would take care of itself. It wasn't really a hard decision; I just knew coming here was going to be a great challenge for me. When I came here, I was playing behind two great safeties, because I didn't play safety, I played corner. To learn from them and then the team and the culture here, and to earn respect from the players and peers, that was my biggest challenge and everything else just fell into place."
It is your first year as a full-time starter here. What do you bring to the field that is different from everyone else?
"I don't know if you watched the Mic'd Up Wednesday, but Hicks asked what your X-factor would be, like on Madden, and I said enforcer. That I bring disruption, pass deflections, getting tackles, anything I can to provide for the team no matter what the job is, I am willing to do it with the best of my ability and at a fast pace. I want to get better at everything I do, and it's a different feeling when I'm out there."
The Bearcats are first in redzone defense, first in team passing efficiency defense, third in scoring defense, and ranked in the top 15 in total defense and passing defense. What is the key this year, what has made you guys so successful week after week? What do you guys do on defense that makes you that good?
"All of us play as one. Obviously DB's, D-linemen and linebackers, we are all playing together and we are working towards the same goal. I know if I do my part as one of 11 guys, that everyone else will do their job and, all in all, there won't be any problems. We have each other's back, and as the season goes on, we are going to have games where I might miss an assignment. But I have players and teammates to pick me up, and to do it in an assertive matter. It gets the kinks out of the way early, that way we can play as one. Just playing with everyone, and their energy, flying around just having fun."
What do you think about the people who still doubt that you are a top team in the nation, even after being ranked No. 2?
"It doesn't really bother me, because at the end of the day we come out here and try to be the best versions of ourselves and compete against each other every day. We do what we have to do, and as a team, we are not letting each other get too caught up in the "who-haa." It is a family here, so when we go out, we are playing for each other. At the end of the day, we have to line up and play. They are going to put the ball down and blow the whistle. We're just focused on what we need to do and our own growth and where we can improve and get better. We don't buy into the noise too much and we don't let it get to our head. We know what we have to do to get better and we just have fun at the end of the day."
What is one word to describe your secondary?
"I would say relentless, whether it's on passes or tackling, we are all swarming. We are all relentless, we are out here every day getting better. Us all playing as one helps and I believe we all have that dog in us. I would say relentless. At the end of the day, we have to play ball and we will see who's still standing when the smoke clears."
COMING UP
Bryan Cook and the Bearcats will travel to Navy for a Saturday matchup against Navy. The game is at noon and will be aired on ESPN2.
So, you are from Cincinnati, and initially you went to Howard for a few years then transferred back in the Spring of 2019. What went into that decision and how nice was it to come back and play for the Bearcats?
"A conversation was had with my old coach, because I am very close with him. I talked to him and weighed my options, and it was a blessing that UC reached out to me two weeks before I was going to decide where to go. I knew I had to work my butt off to find the respect level of the players and coaches here. Playing time would take care of itself. It wasn't really a hard decision; I just knew coming here was going to be a great challenge for me. When I came here, I was playing behind two great safeties, because I didn't play safety, I played corner. To learn from them and then the team and the culture here, and to earn respect from the players and peers, that was my biggest challenge and everything else just fell into place."
It is your first year as a full-time starter here. What do you bring to the field that is different from everyone else?
"I don't know if you watched the Mic'd Up Wednesday, but Hicks asked what your X-factor would be, like on Madden, and I said enforcer. That I bring disruption, pass deflections, getting tackles, anything I can to provide for the team no matter what the job is, I am willing to do it with the best of my ability and at a fast pace. I want to get better at everything I do, and it's a different feeling when I'm out there."
The Bearcats are first in redzone defense, first in team passing efficiency defense, third in scoring defense, and ranked in the top 15 in total defense and passing defense. What is the key this year, what has made you guys so successful week after week? What do you guys do on defense that makes you that good?
"All of us play as one. Obviously DB's, D-linemen and linebackers, we are all playing together and we are working towards the same goal. I know if I do my part as one of 11 guys, that everyone else will do their job and, all in all, there won't be any problems. We have each other's back, and as the season goes on, we are going to have games where I might miss an assignment. But I have players and teammates to pick me up, and to do it in an assertive matter. It gets the kinks out of the way early, that way we can play as one. Just playing with everyone, and their energy, flying around just having fun."
What do you think about the people who still doubt that you are a top team in the nation, even after being ranked No. 2?
"It doesn't really bother me, because at the end of the day we come out here and try to be the best versions of ourselves and compete against each other every day. We do what we have to do, and as a team, we are not letting each other get too caught up in the "who-haa." It is a family here, so when we go out, we are playing for each other. At the end of the day, we have to line up and play. They are going to put the ball down and blow the whistle. We're just focused on what we need to do and our own growth and where we can improve and get better. We don't buy into the noise too much and we don't let it get to our head. We know what we have to do to get better and we just have fun at the end of the day."
What is one word to describe your secondary?
"I would say relentless, whether it's on passes or tackling, we are all swarming. We are all relentless, we are out here every day getting better. Us all playing as one helps and I believe we all have that dog in us. I would say relentless. At the end of the day, we have to play ball and we will see who's still standing when the smoke clears."
COMING UP
Bryan Cook and the Bearcats will travel to Navy for a Saturday matchup against Navy. The game is at noon and will be aired on ESPN2.