South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-15 greatest safeties of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 9 Safety of All-Time:
Emanuel Cook
Emanuel Cook (2006-2008) was the more decorated of the strong safety/spur partnership that he shared with Darian Stewart. Like Stewart, Cook was a big hitter who was among the Gamecocks’ leading tacklers annually; in fact, he led the team in both 2007 and 2008, both of which were All-SEC campaigns. #21 had one of the best safety seasons in recent years when, as a sophomore, he tallied 92 tackles, including 4 sacks, and 8 more tackles for a loss while also knocking away 5 passes and picking off 3 more.
After being academically ineligible for the Outback Bowl his junior season, Cook skipped his senior year for the NFL Draft but was not selected. He had a four-year career in the League after being picked up as an undrafted free agent. After his NFL stint, Cook went on to become one of the best safeties in the Arena Football League.