The Texas Longhorns have announced the departure of wide receiver Johntay Cook II, a high-profile recruit and once highly anticipated member of Texas’s offense. Reports indicate that the decision for Cook to leave the team was mutual, but no specific reasons were provided publicly by Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian or the university.
Cook, who was a five-star recruit from DeSoto High School in Texas, had shown promise in his sophomore year, recording notable stats with 137 yards and two touchdowns over eight receptions this season. His potential had been widely recognized, particularly as he was originally part of Texas’s highly ranked 2023 recruiting class. However, despite his talent, Cook’s role remained relatively limited on the field, which may have contributed to tensions leading to his exit.
The exact circumstances surrounding his departure remain somewhat unclear, and any fracas associated with his parting has not been officially confirmed. This marks a significant change in Texas’s receiver lineup, as Cook was expected to be a key player in their offensive strategy.
There was an expectation entering the 2024 season that Cook II would see an increased role after minimal usage as a freshman but has instead become buried on a depth chart that features Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden, DeAndre Moore Jr., Silas Bolden and true freshman standout Ryan Wingo.
When meeting with the media in September, Cook II said that he was ready to embrace the competition in the receiving room. However, if reports are true, it appears plans have changed.
“The competition rises and you just got to bring your A game every day, because (there’s) dudes around you that can make big plays,” he said.
Cook II, who also inked an NIL deal with Beats by Dre headphones this season, spoke highly of the depth Texas has at receiver.
“I think it’s been great, and I don’t even think it’s showed all the way, because we’ve been fortunate to not have that many injuries,” Cook II said. ” I think it just raises the intensity and practice because the (starters) will go and it’s speed speed speed and the (backups) go and it’s speed, speed, speed, speed, sometimes threes will go and it’s speed, speed, speed, speed. So it’s just a great look for the whole team just having good guys at almost three deep.”
If this is indeed the end of Cook II’s time at Texas, he ends his Longhorns career with just 16 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns across two seasons.
