Bear Insider Video: Cal DB Commit Kaden Cook

Stoney Point (Round Rock, TX) cornerback Kaden Cook‍ was one of earliest commitments in Cal’s 2025 recruiting class after a strong junior season with 43 tackles and 10 pass breakups.

He stepped things up his senior season with 54 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 forced fumble.

"The beginning of the year, I said I wanted to have at least 60 tackles, Cook said. "I didn't catch any interceptions last year, but I didn't really get targeted, but I wanted to catch a few more this year. So I think I really went past that goal because I wanted at least one, and I caught three. I really wanted five, but I didn't get that but I had a good season.”

Cook gave up little to nothing in receptions last season with only 3 catches allowed for 28 total yards and no interceptions.

"Yeah, I did the same thing," Cook said of this season. "I had three receptions allowed this year for around 35 yards."

Of his early commitment to Cal last June, Cook noted it was Cal’s consistency in his recruitment that really set them apart.

"They were just consistent from day one since my freshman year ever since my freshman year when I went there," Cook said, "I've probably been there about around eight times now,

"From freshman year till now, like every week they've been consistent with keeping up with me and my family. It just goes to show that with some schools you may be a priority but with other schools, you may just be an option. I feel like they prioritized me throughout my recruitment."

Cal DB coaches Tre Watson and Terrence Brown have both been a big part of Cook’s recruitment during the past few years.

"My relationship (with them) is really good," Cook said. "I met them the summer going into my sophomore year, and it's just a really tight, really close-knit relationship with them and my family. I'm getting to know their family as well, too. So they kind of became like two mentors to me and my football progress throughout the whole year."

Cook is especially looking forward to his new home in the Bay Area and the weather than comes with it.

"I like it. I like it a lot," Cook said. "The weather is obviously nicer than out here. It's not as humid.

"I think that's really nice out there. The proximity to San Francisco is really nice too. It goes along with the NIL and all the people in the area that can help out, but the campus is also really nice. t's a real green, nice area."

Cook has followed the Bears closely this season along with all their highs and lows.

"I've seen that they've showed a lot of good things throughout every game, and even the games that they lost, It's not like they're losing by a lot or getting blown out," Cook noted. "Their defense has had a lot of potential throughout the whole season, too, with all the turnovers they create. And Nohl Williams, he leads the country in interceptions. So I think that it's a really good defensive school for me to go."

Cook was able to take in both Cal’s win over UC Davis and their narrow loss to Miami, though he wasn’t able to make it over on time to be at the historic ESPN Football GameDay festivities that saw an approximate 20,000 enthusiastic Cal fans on the set on campus. He was also impressed by the fans and the student section in his visits.

"It was really good both games, especially the Miami game," Cook said "It was a crazy environment. It's probably the best environment that I've been to for one of their games."

As for his skillsets as a player, Cook noted that his versatility was one of his biggest calling cards.

"If I could describe myself as a player, I'd say that I'm both a cornerback and safety, so I think I can do both, play both positions, and I can play both positions at a high level," Cook said. "But I think that not too many people know that I can also come down and hit from a cornerback position and a safety position." 

Cook will be signing at a school signing ceremony