Iowa football: 30 greatest players in Hawkeyes history
By Andrew Wade
If Dallas Clark was the original in a long line of great tight ends under Kirk Ferentz, Marv Cook is basically the original in a long line of great Iowa tight ends, period. Cook played during one of the most successful four-year periods in Iowa history with the Hawks winning 10 games twice, going to four bowl games and finishing ranked three years in a row.
He is the record holder for receiving yards by a tight end and second all-time for receptions. During his senior season when he caught 55 balls for 645 yards and three touchdowns, he was named a consensus All-American.
Cook also dabbled in punting and kicking, booting 22 balls in his Iowa football career for 825 yards and kicking one extra point in his freshman season.
Post-Iowa, Cook was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the New England Patriots where he became a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro. Now, Iowa football faithful are holding their breath that Cook’s son Drew, can become the next great Iowa tight end after spending most of his career at the quarterback position for the Hawkeyes.
As for the older Cook, when you’re the most revered player at one of the most revered positions in program history, you have to be top-10.