Athlete of the Week: Zayden Cook

This week’s Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Jim Aaron’s Summerville McDonald’s, goes to Chattooga Football’s Zayden Cook!

Chattooga senior Zayden Cook had another standout performance on Friday, surpassing the 2,700-yard mark and securing his place as Georgia’s top rusher this season. In Chattooga’s showdown with Coosa, Cook surged past Nick Chubb’s 2012 season total, establishing himself as one of Georgia high school football’s all-time rushing greats.

During the game, Cook reached an impressive 2,735 yards for the season, surpassing Chubb’s legendary 2,721-yard season from 2012. This incredible achievement places Cook in an elite group, among only a few players in Georgia high school history, to reach this level in a single season. Cook’s name now ranks among Georgia’s all-time rushing leaders:

• 2,874 yards – Treylon Sheppard, Haralson County (2018)
• 2,735 yards – Zayden Cook, Chattooga (2024)
• 2,721 yards – Nick Chubb, Cedartown (2012)
• 2,612 yards – Nick Chubb, Cedartown (2013)

As Chattooga heads into the playoffs, Cook’s record-breaking season continues to inspire, and his incredible yardage will only keep climbing.

Interview with Athlete of the Week, Zayden Cook:

AOG: What motivates you?

Cook: “My motivation is to be the best player I can be and to push myself to do great things.”

AOG: Give us a recruiting update.

Cook: “I have had interest from Wofford, Berry, Shorter, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Navy, Colgate, Lehigh, UAB, Millsaps College, Jacksonville State, and a few more I may have left out. At this point, I have offers from Wofford, Berry, Shorter, and Millsaps. If I could choose a college, it would be UGA, but honestly, I would love to be able to play football and get a great education at the same time. Going to the next level would be a dream come true.”

AOG: Game after game, you’ve broken records, been recognized at the state level, and are chasing the all-time single-season rushing record in Georgia high school football. How do you handle the pressure and the expectations?

Cook: “I take it one game at a time and always strive to do my best in everything I do.”

AOG: With all the big moments this season, do you have a favorite game?

Cook: “The Dade County game. We needed a win to make it into the playoffs, and my teammates and I worked together to make that happen. It was a great night.”

AOG: Who is your role model?

Cook: “My mom and dad are my role models because they have always encouraged me to push myself while staying humble, working hard for what I want in life, and never giving up.”

AOG: Why do you love football?

Cook: “I love to compete and push myself. Football allows me to do that in all aspects of the game.”

 

Congratulations to Zayden Cook on his remarkable achievements this season, and best of luck to him and the Chattooga Indians as they move into the playoffs.