Randall Cobb: From Kentucky Wildcat to NFL Star
Randall Ladonald Cobb II, born on August 22, 1990, is a former American professional football wide receiver who played 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). His journey from a somewhat overlooked high school prospect to a Super Bowl champion and a respected NFL veteran is a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and unwavering determination.
Early Life and High School Career
Born in Maryville, Tennessee, Cobb is the son of Randall Cobb Sr. and Tina Cobb. Randall Sr. worked at the Denso car parts factory and took on side jobs to support his family, with young Randall II often helping him. Cobb attended Alcoa High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. His football team secured four consecutive State Champion titles in Class AA, and Cobb was honored with a "Mr. Football" trophy from the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.
Cobb's athletic prowess extended to track, where he competed in sprints and relays, achieving a personal best of 10.75 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Despite his accomplishments, college scouts initially overlooked Cobb due to concerns about his size (5’10”).
College Career at the University of Kentucky
Cobb chose to attend the University of Kentucky, where he quickly became a dynamic player in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He showcased his versatility as a wide receiver, return specialist, and even running back, posing a challenge for opposing defenses.
2008 (Freshman Year): Cobb was named to the SEC All-Freshman team as a quarterback. He played in 11 games, starting four as a wide receiver and the final four as quarterback. He secured his first win as a starting quarterback against Mississippi State, making him the first true freshman quarterback from UK to win an SEC road game since the early 1970s. He rushed for a season-high 82 yards and three touchdowns against Georgia. As a wide receiver in the Arkansas game, he caught two touchdown passes in the final 4:15, leading to a dramatic 21-20 victory. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance against Arkansas. Cobb was the only player in the nation who was the team’s starting quarterback and punt returner by the end of the season. He missed one game and most of two others due to a high ankle sprain.
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2009 (Sophomore Year): Cobb earned First-Team All-SEC honors as an all-purpose player from The Associated Press and ESPN.com. He received team awards as UK’s Most Valuable Player, Most Outstanding Offensive Player, and Most Inspirational Offensive Player. He ranked second in the SEC in touchdowns, third in punt returns, fourth in all-purpose yardage, and seventh in scoring. Cobb led the team in receiving with 39 catches for 447 yards and four touchdowns. He had a career-best 96 receiving yards in the season opener against Miami (Ohio). Cobb scored three game-winning touchdowns in the fourth quarter: a 12-yard touchdown catch against Louisville, a four-yard run at Auburn, and a one-yard run at Georgia. He scored a total of 15 touchdowns, placing him second on the UK single-season list. He was second on the team in rushing with 573 yards and 10 touchdowns. Cobb reached over 100 rushing yards against Auburn (109) and Tennessee (101). He returned 24 punts for 308 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown against ULM. He averaged 26.5 yards on kickoff returns and 139.4 all-purpose yards per game, with a career-high of 237 all-purpose yards against ULM.
2010 (Junior Year): As a junior, Cobb had a new head coach in Joker Phillips, who praised him as "one of the best leaders I've ever been around." He scored a touchdown on a punt return against Western Kentucky. On October 9, 2010, Cobb tied the Kentucky school record for career touchdowns at 32 by scoring four touchdowns against undefeated Auburn. He also became the first Kentucky player since Shane Boyd in 2003 to score a rushing, passing, and receiving touchdown in the same game. Overall, in his junior season, Cobb recorded 84 receptions for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 55 carries for 424 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite his success in college, some scouts still considered Cobb undersized for the NFL, questioning his potential impact at the professional level.
NFL Career
Cobb's skills and determination caught the attention of the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Green Bay Packers (2011-2018): Throughout his time with the Packers, Cobb became known for his precise route running, reliable hands, and ability to perform in critical moments. He became a favorite target of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and together they formed a formidable receiving duo. In a Monday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings on November 14, Cobb scored on an 80-yard punt return, becoming the first rookie in Packers history to return both a kick and a punt for a touchdown in the same season. For the season, he caught 25 passes for 375 yards and one touchdown. Cobb made his playoff debut in the Divisional Round against the New York Giants.
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He also established himself as a dangerous return man, known for his speed and ability to turn short passes into significant gains. In Week 6 of the 2012 season against the Houston Texans, Cobb had seven receptions for 102 yards, marking his first career 100-yard game. He played in 15 games, starting eight, during the 2012 season. In 2013, Cobb's season was cut short due to a broken fibula injury. He played only six games, including four starts. He returned for the regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears. Cobb finished the season with 91 receptions for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns.
On March 7, 2015, Cobb signed a four-year, $40 million contract with the Packers, including a $13 million signing bonus. He expressed his desire to remain in Green Bay, stating, "At the end of the day, my heart was in Green Bay, and I knew that's where I wanted to be." In 2015, Cobb had one of his best seasons after teammate Jordy Nelson suffered an ACL injury in the preseason. In Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded eight receptions for 116 yards. During the following game, Cobb had three receiving touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs. In Week 13, during the "Miracle in Motown" win, Cobb recovered a fumble to give the Packers their first touchdown of the game. On September 9, 2018, Cobb caught nine passes for 142 yards and a touchdown in the season-opener against the Chicago Bears. He recorded a career-long 75-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter, securing the victory for the Packers.
Dallas Cowboys (2019): In 2019, Cobb joined the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year, $5 million contract. He caught his first touchdown with the Cowboys in the first week of the season against the New York Giants.
Houston Texans (2020): Cobb played with the Houston Texans in 2020, signing a three-year, $27 million deal.
Return to Green Bay Packers (2021-2022): In 2021, Cobb returned to the Green Bay Packers via a trade at the request of Aaron Rodgers. He sustained an injury on a touchdown catch during a Week 12 win over the Los Angeles Rams. In 2022, Cobb was placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. He was activated from injured reserve later in the season and appeared in 13 games, starting three.
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New York Jets (2023): Cobb signed with the New York Jets in 2023, reuniting with Aaron Rodgers once again.
Retirement and Post-Playing Career
In 2024, Randall Cobb announced his retirement from the NFL and his decision to join the SEC Network as a studio analyst.
Legacy
Randall Cobb's career is a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering work ethic. He overcame doubts about his size and proved his ability to excel at the highest level of professional football. Cobb's versatility, reliability, and clutch performances made him a valuable asset to every team he played for. He is remembered as one of the most dynamic playmakers in Kentucky football history and a respected veteran in the NFL.
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