Former Texas Longhorn 5-star recruiting victory finds new home following several months of non stop headaches
If you think back to the 2023 recruiting class for the Texas Longhorns, it was viewed as a tremendous job to keep former DeSoto (Texas) High School five-star wide receiver Johntay Cook to stay home by the staff. The Longhorns were able to outlast a long group of impressive offers, including Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Ohio […]
If you think back to the 2023 recruiting class for the Texas Longhorns, it was viewed as a tremendous job to keep former DeSoto (Texas) High School five-star wide receiver Johntay Cook to stay home by the staff. The Longhorns were able to outlast a long group of impressive offers, including Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State, Notre Dame, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Ole Miss among many others. Cook was viewed at the time as the future top target for elite quarterback Arch Manning.
For those who didn’t follow Cook’s time in Austin, it did not end well. In two seasons with the team, the 6-0, 186-pound pass catcher would manage to haul in just 16 receptions for 273 yards and two touchdowns. About halfway through the season, Cook made his intentions known that he would be entering the transfer portal. He opted for the Washington Huskies back in late December,
Cook’s time with the Huskies program ended up being just a blip on the radar, parting ways back on January 14th, just a couple of weeks after committing. Over the next several weeks, it became unknown if we may have seen the last of Cook on the college level. Cook was charged with misdemeanor, theft, and interfering with public duties on February 4th. According to multiple reports, Cook was once again arrested and charged with possession of less than two ounces of marijuana just ten days later.
While Cook was dealing with those legal issues, his football future was put on hold. It appears he must be in better standing now, committing to the University of Syracuse on Friday. If Cook has matured, and is focused, this could end up being a massage addition for head coach Fran Brown.
Still just 20 years old, there is plenty of time for Cook to get his life, and football career turned around. The team said goodbye to pass catchers Jackson Meeks, Trebor Pena, and Oronde Gadsden Jr. this offseason, which isn’t ideal for the health of the passing offense in 2025. Whether Steve Angeli (Notre Dame) or Rickie Collins (LSU) is the transfer quarterback that wins the job, Cook will be a welcomed talent to the wide receiver room.
Texas could lose freshman starter who Steve Sarkisian called a 'weapon' to former Big 12 rival or recent National Champion
The Texas Longhorns will be undergoing more special teams changes this spring transfer portal window. After losing two punters in Ian Ratliff and Charlie Feris to the portal, with Ratliff already committing to Appalachian State, it didn't take long for 2024 starter Michael Kern to have what seems like his final two options emerge. According […]
