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Linebacker Cook aims to get running start at Temple

Chapelle Cook doesn't want to waste any time. After the senior linebacker from New Jersey's Lakewood High signs a letter of intent to attend Temple on Wednesday, he's ready to get down to business.

Lakewood's Chapelle Cook looks for yardage up the middle on a broken
play during first half action. Cook is a Temple recruit. (Peter Ackerman/Asbury Park Press)
Lakewood's Chapelle Cook looks for yardage up the middle on a broken play during first half action. Cook is a Temple recruit. (Peter Ackerman/Asbury Park Press)Read more

Chapelle Cook doesn't want to waste any time.

After the senior linebacker from New Jersey's Lakewood High signs a letter of intent to attend Temple on Wednesday, he's ready to get down to business.

More than anything, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Cook can't wait to get his hands on a Temple playbook. Even though Cook is relatively new to the sport, he doesn't expect an extended period to adjust to college football.

"When I get to college, this is a business to me," Cook said. "I know what is at stake."

Cook, rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, says he has visions of making an immediate contribution. What is so intriguing is his combination of athleticism and intelligence.

"The thing about him is that he loves to study the game," said Lakewood coach L.J. Clark. "He's been talking about wanting to see the playbook."

Cook is a three-sport athlete who did not begin playing football until the eighth grade. He does not anticipate much adjustment to college life since he has been used to adapting on the fly.

His mother was formerly in the Navy and now works for the U.S. Postal Service. While she was in the Navy, Cook says he changed residences several times. He has lived in Lakewood since his freshman year.

"It's the longest I can remember being in one place," he said.

Temple was very aggressive in recruiting Cook and was the first school to offer him a scholarship. He made an oral commitment to the Owls in the summer. According to Cook, schools such as Michigan State, Boston College and Pittsburgh offered him scholarships.

"There were others that were on the cusp of making offers, but once I committed to Temple that was it," Cook said.

Temple officials can't officially comment on Cook until he signs the letter of intent, but there's no doubt the coaches were impressed by his athletic ability.

This season in addition to playing linebacker, he was moved to quarterback and rushed for 1,167 yards and 14 touchdowns while passing for 865 yards and six TDs.

At linebacker he had 51 tackles, seven sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

"He's just a very explosive and dynamic player," Clark said. "He's such a well-liked student and I couldn't be happier for the kid. And one other thing: Nobody will outwork him."

Cook is also a member of the basketball and track teams. In basketball he isn't known for finesse.

"My coach calls me the bodyguard because I am physical," he said with a laugh. "I like to crash the glass."

In track, he said he has run the 100 meters in 10.98 seconds. According to Cook, he may not do all his running at Temple on defense.

"I have to also be ready to take some snaps in college on offense as a running back," he said.

While that might be the case, he is being recruited mainly as an outside linebacker, one who can put some serious heat on the quarterback.

Cook doesn't want to waste any time, either in learning a new system at Temple or getting to the quarterback. There is so much to do and he's in a hurry to get started.

Temple Class of 2015

Name   Pos.   Ht.   Wt.   High School

Kareem Ali    CB    5-9    165    Timber Creek*

Ryquell Armstead    RB    6-2    200    Millville

Jeremiah Atoki    Ath.    6-2    195    Vineland

Josiah Bronson    DE    6-5    265    Kentwood (Wash)

Chapelle Cook    LB    6-2    215    Lakewood

Jovahn Fair    OT    6-3    285    Firestone (Ohio)

Jager Gardner    RB   6-2   205   Owen (N.C.)

Daishaun Grimes    LB    6-2    200    Harmony (Fla.)

Benson Israel   OL    6-2    315    St. Joe Montvale

DeAndre Kelly    DL    6-3    235    DeMatha (Md.)

Dana Levine   LB/DE6-3   220   Hallandale (Fla.)

Logan Marchi    QB    6-1    175    St. Paul (Conn.)*

Roy Pugh    TE    6-4    220    Shabazz

Jake Robinson    Ath.    6-4    210    Haddonfield

Cortrelle Simpson    WR    5-10    175    Lackey (Md.)

William Updegrove   DE    6-2   230    Berwick

Greg Webb    DL    6-1    310    Hutchinson CC

*-Already enrolled at Temple

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