Palisades standout wide receiver Cook makes college decision

It doesn't matter where you play, when you play like Lincoln Cook.

"If you're good enough, the college programs will find you," Palisades head football coach Bobby Smith said.

"And Lincoln is really good and he had a lot of big-time college programs recruiting him."

Cook, a Palisades senior, did have plenty of suitors, but he committed to play his college football at Northwestern University.

"When I visited Northwestern, it just felt like home to me," said the 6-2, 180-pound Cook, who plans to major in business. 

"Toward the end of the recruiting I had it down to three schools, Syracuse, Army and Northwestern and Northwestern felt like the right fit."

Cook, a wide receiver, is believed to be the first Pirate in school history to commit to a Power Four football program.

"We've had guys play at Lehigh and Delaware and Harvard, but Lincoln will be playing in the Big Ten (Conference) and that's a great thing for him, and he deserves it," Smith said. "We're a small school (Class 2A), but he could play anywhere.

"He does really well academically, comes from a great family, and is not just a really good football player, but he's an excellent basketball player and track runner.

"I'm just happy with have him here for one more season."

Bucks athletes excel at state track: These Bucks County athletes medaled at PIAA Track & Field Championships

Cook heads into his senior season already as the school's all-time leader in receptions (130), receiving yards (1,808) and receiving touchdowns (15).

Last season, Cook caught 65 passes for 1,054 yards and 10 touchdowns (all school single-season records) and also intercepted three passes from his cornerback spot.

"He doesn't just go out and play football, he analyzes the game and studies it," Smith said.

"And all he wants is the team to win. He'd be a decoy all game if that would help us win, but getting him the ball is what we want to do."

Like many top players, Cook had the opportunity to transfer to a private school to finish off his high school career but opted to stay where he was.

"I thought about it, but at the end of the day, I didn't want to leave my teammates and coaches," Cook said.

"I grew up playing football with all of these guys and they're my friends. The camaraderie we've had for so long is one of my favorite things."

Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Palisades standout wide receiver Cook makes college decision