Brady Cook gives back to Columbia, hosts youth football camp

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A former Mizzou quarterback has returned home to make a difference in Columbia.

Mizzou alum and New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook held his second-ever youth football camp at Rock Bridge High School on Sunday afternoon.

"Columbia is going to be my home forever," Cook said. "I had my first camp last year, and immediately after, I knew it was something I wanted to do again and it's probably something I want to do forever. It's cool. You get 125-150 kids out here, and you get the chance to interact with them, be out on a field with them for four hours, take them through drills. I think that means something to them, and it's something I'm really passionate about."

More than 100 participants got an opportunity to learn from the 2023 Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP and local volunteer coaches, receiving hands-on instruction and working on their craft through drills and skills stations.

The former three-time team captain and the second-winningest Mizzou quarterback in school history recently signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets, marking the beginning of his NFL career. The St. Louis native detailed his goals for his first year at the professional level.

"Year one, really maximize each opportunity," Cook said. "I feel like I did that throughout the offseason program with [the Jets] and, you know, next thing is really training camp and the preseason. How can I maximize that, show the Jets, show the staff, show everyone what I'm about and what kind of football I can play."

The Jets just wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on June 12. The team's training camp practices will be announced at a later date.