Alex Cook Bio
Alex Cook is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). Born on May 21, 1999, in Sacramento, California, he played college football for the Washington Huskies before signing with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Over the course of his young professional career, Cook has also spent time with the Carolina Panthers, the New York Giants, and the Chicago Bears, building a reputation for his versatility on the field.
Known for transitioning between offense and defense during his early football years, Cook developed into a reliable defensive back at the college level. His journey through multiple NFL and spring league rosters reflects a player who continues to adapt and earn opportunities at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Alex Cook was born on May 21, 1999, in Sacramento, California. Growing up in the Sacramento area, he attended Sheldon High School, located in nearby Vineyard in Elk Grove, California. The school sits in a suburb just south of Sacramento, providing Cook with a familiar community environment during his formative years.
At Sheldon High School, Cook was a two-way player, contributing on both offense and defense for the football team. This dual experience helped him build a well-rounded skill set that would later prove valuable as he transitioned into a defensive role at the college level. His listed height of 6 feet 0 inches and playing weight of 195 pounds gave him a physical frame suited for the safety position.
Cook was rated as the 220th-best prospect in the nation coming out of high school. His ability to play multiple positions attracted the attention of several college programs, ultimately leading him to choose the University of Washington to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Cook’s path to professional American football began with his commitment to the University of Washington, where he joined a Pac-12 Conference program known for developing NFL talent. He arrived on campus in 2017 and redshirted his first year, preserving a year of eligibility while learning the team’s system and adjusting to the speed of college football.
In his second season at Washington, Cook played in twelve games and made one start as a wide receiver, showcasing the offensive skills he had developed at Sheldon High School. The following year, during his redshirt sophomore campaign, he made a decisive positional change, moving to defensive back. That season he appeared in all thirteen games for the Huskies, signaling his official transition to defense.
Cook continued to develop as a defensive player, starting nine of eleven games in his redshirt senior year. Because the 2020 season had been shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was granted an additional year of eligibility. In that final college season, Cook started all thirteen games and was recognized for his performance with selection to the All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team in 2022.
Alex Cook Career
Early Career (2023)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Alex Cook signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. The opportunity marked his first professional contract and offered a chance to break into the league despite not hearing his name called during the draft. Cook competed during training camp and the preseason for a spot on the Giants’ active roster.
Cook ultimately did not make the Giants’ active roster out of camp, but he was signed to their practice squad. The practice squad designation allowed him to continue developing within the Giants’ organization and remain ready in case an opportunity arose at the NFL level.
Carolina Panthers Breakthrough (2023–2024)
On October 17, 2023, the Carolina Panthers signed Cook to their active roster off the New York Giants’ practice squad. The promotion gave Cook his first opportunity to appear on an NFL active roster and represented a significant step forward in his professional career. He joined a Panthers team looking to add depth in its defensive secondary.
Cook remained with Carolina through the 2024 offseason. On August 27, 2024, he was waived by the Panthers and re-signed to the team’s practice squad, allowing the organization to retain his rights while adjusting its active roster. He was released by Carolina on December 3, 2024, ending his time with the Panthers. During his NFL career through 2024, Cook recorded 11 total tackles.
New York Giants (Second Stint, 2024)
Following his release from Carolina, Cook returned to familiar ground when he signed with the New York Giants’ practice squad on December 26, 2024. The reunion with the Giants organization provided another chance to compete for an NFL roster spot heading into the next league year.
Chicago Bears Era (2025)
On January 22, 2025, Cook signed a reserve and future contract with the Chicago Bears, signaling the team’s interest in bringing him into their system for the upcoming season. Reserve and future contracts allow teams to secure players who will compete in the next training camp. Cook was ultimately waived by the Bears on August 25, 2025.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2026–Present)
On January 14, 2026, Cook was selected by the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League, marking a new chapter in his professional career. The Stallions, a prominent franchise in the spring football landscape, offered Cook an opportunity to play significant snaps and contribute to a championship-oriented organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Alex Cook’s playing strengths stem from his background as a two-way high school player and his college transition to defensive back. His experience on offense, including starts as a wide receiver at Washington, has given him an understanding of route concepts and receiver tendencies that benefit his work as a safety. His listed 6-foot frame and 195-pound build, combined with his coverage instincts, have allowed him to remain a versatile defensive piece.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Cook’s career came in 2022, when he earned Second-team All-Pac-12 honors after starting all thirteen games for the Washington Huskies. Reaching an NFL active roster with the Carolina Panthers in October 2023 also marked a meaningful milestone for the undrafted safety, as did his selection by the Birmingham Stallions in January 2026.
Alex Cook Career Wins
Alex Cook’s career to this point has been defined more by steady progression and roster opportunities than by a long list of championship victories. His verified NFL career statistics through 2024 include 11 total tackles, reflecting limited but meaningful defensive snaps at the league’s highest level.
College and Professional Highlights
Cook’s most notable college accomplishment was earning Second-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2022 after starting every game for the Washington Huskies. At the professional level, his first significant milestone was reaching the Carolina Panthers’ active roster in October 2023, followed by subsequent stints with the New York Giants, the Chicago Bears, and the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL.
Other Performances
Beyond his headline appearances, Cook has logged practice squad contributions for the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers, and reserve and future contract work with the Chicago Bears. Each stop has added to his professional development and provided further evidence of his persistence in pursuing a sustained football career.
Alex Cook Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Public information about Alex Cook’s family background is limited. What is known is that he grew up in the Sacramento, California area and attended Sheldon High School in nearby Vineyard, where he played both offense and defense. His roots in the Sacramento region helped shape his early football identity.
Personal Life
Details about Alex Cook’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, are not publicly documented in available sources. His professional social media presence and his continued pursuit of a football career indicate a focused approach to the sport during his young adult years.
2025 Season Performance
Alex Cook entered the 2025 NFL calendar year as a member of the Chicago Bears after signing a reserve and future contract on January 22, 2025. The contract reflected the Bears’ interest in evaluating him during the 2025 offseason program and training camp as they shaped their defensive depth chart.
Cook’s time with Chicago during the 2025 league year concluded on August 25, 2025, when he was waived by the team. Despite the release, his work in the Bears’ system added another professional chapter to his resume and kept him active within NFL circles.
Looking ahead from the 2025 calendar, Cook’s professional trajectory pointed toward continued opportunities, ultimately leading to his selection by the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League in January 2026. His combination of college production, special teams versatility, and positional flexibility positioned him as a player capable of contributing at multiple levels of professional football.
