Who is Bryan Cook? Kansas City Chiefs safety played for Cincinnati Bearcats, Mt Healthy HS

Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, a former Mt. Healthy High School and University of Cincinnati Bearcats standout, was placed on injured reserve in December after suffering an ankle injury during a loss to the Packers in Green Bay on December 3.

But Cook, a second-round pick (62nd overall) of the Chiefs in the 2022 NFL draft, has a chance to get his second Super Bowl ring in two NFL seasons when Kansas City meets the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas.

What to know about Cook, 24, who started all 12 games in which he appeared this season for the Chiefs:

Cook had his first NFL interception this season, his first touchdown and two fumble recoveries.

Cook recovered a fumble, the first of his career, during the Chiefs’ season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions. He recovered another fumble during a 27-20 win October 8 in Minnesota.

Cook’s first INT as a pro came during a 31-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 22.

Two weeks later, during a 21-14 win against the Miami Dolphins, former Winton Woods High School standout Mike Edwards recovered a fumble and lateraled to Cook, who ran it 59 yards for a touchdown.

Cook delivered a pregame speech before the Chiefs’ win against the Bengals.

Per KansasCity.com’s Sam McDowell, the injured Cook got his teammates fired up before their 25-17 win December 31 in Kansas City.

“We were really just focused on winning that game, getting into the playoffs, clinching the division, and that was it,” Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams said, per McDowell. “So he came in and told us to stay on that. Don’t get too focused on what the playoffs are gonna be. Play this game like it’s the playoffs. We took that as motivation. We used it. That’s Bryan Cook. That’s what he does. He keeps us motivated.”

Cook was the third Bearcat selected in the 2022 draft.

Cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner was taken by the New York Jets with the fourth overall pick. Receiver Alec Pierce went earlier in the second round to the Indianapolis Colts.

The Chiefs selected Cook two picks after the Bengals took defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt 60th overall.

Kansas City’s 2022 draft class also included cornerback Trent McDuffie, defensive end George Karlaftis III, receiver Skyy Moore, linebacker Leo Chenal and running back Isiah Pacheco.

Cook played two seasons at Howard before transferring to UC.

In 21 games over two seasons as a cornerback with the Bison, Cook had 93 tackles (77 solo), 17 passes defended, five tackles for loss, and five INTs (including one returned for a TD).

He said Howard was the only school that offered him.

Cook had to sit out 13 games before debuting for the Bearcats in the 2019 Birmingham Bowl.

He played for the Bearcats for two seasons, and was among 2021 American Athletic Conference leaders in tackles and passes defended.

UC head coach Scott Satterfield said he’s excited for Cook and fellow former UC standout Travis Kelce.

Satterfield talked to reporters about what it means for Cook and Kelce to be part of a team in pursuit of back-to-back titles.

From @Trags via Twitter:

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