Cooks, who was born on September 25, 1993, is American by nationality and hails from Stockton, California. After graduating from Lincoln High School, Cooks attended Oregon State University where he excelled as a standout player for the Beavers football team. His exceptional skills and impressive performances caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to his selection by the New Orleans Saints as the 20th overall pick in the 2014 draft.