Restricted scout access makes evaluation of Connor Cook tough

Connor Cook is one of the better quarterback prospects for the upcoming draft, and teams still have questions about the Michigan State product. Aside from his ability, one question about him has to do with his leadership.

Despite being a three-year starter for the Spartans, Cook was not named one of the team’s three captains. It’s a surprise to see a senior quarterback with a track record like his not be named a captain, but that’s what happened. He was pretty bummed out by the result.

Cook not being named a captain left scouts wondering if there is something wrong with him and his leadership. They wanted to get a better look at him to see how he interacts with teammates at practice, but Michigan State’s restrictions apparently made that tough.

One issue for teams with Cook: MSU is tight with restrictions on scouts at practice, which is when they'd see him interact with teammates.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 20, 2016

Aside from the leadership questions, there was a question about why Cook missed the Senior Bowl. He told FOX’s Bruce Feldman that it was to heal his shoulder injury, which was incurred in November against Maryland and caused him to miss the Ohio State game.

Most draft boards have Carson Wentz, Jared Goff and Paxton Lynch as their top three quarterback prospects. Cook tends to come directly after them and could be a second-round pick. Maybe scouts will get a better idea of his leadership qualities when they meet with him at the scouting combine and Michigan State’s Pro Day.