“I already knew the offense from playing quarterback,” Cook says. “And it helped because I knew what the quarterbacks would be looking for as far as getting open and scrambling, so there was a lot of stuff that was very conducive to playing quarterback and switching to receiver.”

And sure enough, his previous experience paid off. In 2007, Cook—then a sophomore—appeared in nine games for Harvard, logging time as the squad’s fourth receiving option in a deep corps of wideouts.

The newly-minted offensive weapon amassed 23 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to 11 rushing attempts for 57 yards and another touchdown.

Cook proved himself as a receiver that season, and through the transition process, his teammates recognized his tenacity and dedication to the game.

“He brings a lot of energy all the time,” captain Carl Ehrlich says. “Whether it’s 6 a.m. or in the middle of a game, he’s always focused. He’s a really smart kid and smart football player, and I think it shows on the field.”

Cook credits his coaches and teammates for keeping him motivated during his injuries. They kept him up to speed on practices and plays, and Murphy would always encourage him by telling him to “keep his head up.”

Cook’s dedication and perseverance haven’t gone unnoticed throughout his football career, but along with his skills on the field, it is his character that will be most remembered long after his days as a Harvard wide receiver.

“I think the common denominator, the most important intangible that we look for in our players is mental toughness,” Murphy says. “And that can be obviously translated in a lot of different ways, but if you want to put it down to one, it’s the kind of kids that’ll never give up regardless of what obstacles and adversity they have in their lines. And Mike’s one of those guys.”