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NFL DRAFT
NFL Draft

Connor Cook slides to Raiders in fourth round of NFL draft

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) walks off the field in the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.

Connor Cook's long wait in the NFL draft is finally over.

Cook, who had been billed as a potential first-round draft pick, had to wait until Saturday to be taken by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round with the 100th overall pick.

A three-year starter at Michigan State, Cook drew praise for an accomplished career in which he threw 70 touchdown passes and just 21 interceptions while compiling a 34-5 record as a starter. An NFL-ready frame (6-foot-4, 217 pounds) and ability to fit the ball into tight spaces earned him additional attention.

But Cook was not elected as one of Michigan State's captains as a senior, and leadership questions plagued him throughout the lead-up to the draft.

“I don’t think you can win that many games and be that successful at a program without being a leader," Cook told the team's website after being picked. "I think all that stuff was so far from the truth. Everything will work itself out."

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"People want to talk and say all that stuff, but they’ve never even sat down to talk to me or get to know me as a person. We were successful for a reason and that’s pretty much all I have to say. I’m just looking forward to this whole new journey and getting a chance to be a part of a great organization and go out there and compete.”

In Oakland, Cook joins a team with a settled quarterback situation for the foreseeable future. Derek Carr was a Pro Bowl selection in his second year as a starter. Cook will likely compete with Matt McGloin to be Carr's backup.

“It’s a lot of motivation. I would say more motivation than anything," Cook said. "Like you said, seeing all the other quarterbacks go when you think you’re a pretty good quarterback, it just motivates you. I’m going to go into this league with a chip on my shoulder and try to earn everything that I achieve.”

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.

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