Brandin Cooks Bio
Brandin Tawan Cooks is an American professional football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers, earning consensus All-American honors before being selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Cooks has also played for the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, and Dallas Cowboys.
Early Life and Background
Brandin Cooks was born on September 25, 1993, in Stockton, California, to Worth Cooks Sr. and Andrea Glasper Cooks. His father passed away from a heart attack when Brandin was just six years old, leaving him and his three brothers, Fred, Worth Jr., and Andre, to be raised by their mother. Cooks attended Lincoln High School in Stockton, where he began to make a name for himself in football, playing for the Trojans. During his high school career, he demonstrated his talent as a wide receiver, recording impressive statistics that would eventually lead him to a collegiate career. Cooks originally committed to play college football at UCLA but later chose to attend Oregon State University. In addition to football, he also participated in basketball and track during his high school years.
Path to American Football
Cooks played college football at Oregon State from 2011 to 2013 under head coach Mike Riley. He made an immediate impact in his freshman year, contributing to the team’s performance. In his sophomore season, he emerged as a standout player, recording 67 receptions for 1,151 yards and five touchdowns. Cooks formed a dynamic receiving duo with Markus Wheaton, helping the team achieve a 9–4 record. His junior year was even more remarkable, as he set multiple records, including leading the NCAA in receiving yards with 1,730 and earning the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. After an impressive collegiate career, Cooks declared for the NFL draft, forgoing his senior season.
Brandin Cooks Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
Brandin Cooks was selected by the New Orleans Saints as the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, finishing with 53 receptions for 550 yards and three touchdowns despite missing some games due to injury. Cooks continued to develop in his second season, leading the Saints with 84 receptions for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2016, he recorded a career-high 1,173 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, solidifying his status as a top wide receiver in the league.
Breakthrough (2017–2019)
In March 2017, Cooks was traded to the New England Patriots, where he had a successful season, recording 65 receptions for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns. He played a crucial role in the Patriots’ offense, helping the team reach Super Bowl LII. After one season with the Patriots, Cooks was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, where he signed a lucrative five-year contract extension. During his time with the Rams, he continued to excel, finishing the 2018 season with 80 receptions for a career-high 1,204 yards and five touchdowns. Cooks played a significant role in the Rams’ journey to Super Bowl LIII, where they faced off against the Patriots.
Notable Works and Milestones
Cooks has established himself as one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL, known for his speed and playmaking ability. He has achieved multiple milestones throughout his career, including being the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons with three different teams.
Brandin Cooks Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Brandin Cooks has received recognition for his outstanding performances on the field, including nominations for various awards.
Brandin Cooks Awards Won
Cooks has won several prestigious awards, including the Fred Biletnikoff Award and being named a Consensus All-American in 2013. He has also been recognized as the NCAA receiving yards leader in the same year.
Brandin Cooks Family
Brandin Cooks is married to Briannon Lepman, with whom he tied the knot on July 7, 2018.
Personal Life
Cooks is known for his Christian faith and has been involved in charitable activities, including a significant donation to establish the Stockton Children’s Fund to support local children affected by the coronavirus pandemic. He has earned the nickname “the Archer” for his signature bow-and-arrow celebration after scoring touchdowns, referencing a biblical story.
