Johntay Cook II, a highly touted wide receiver for the Texas Longhorns, has departed the football program, sources have confirmed to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Cook, a sophomore from DeSoto, Texas, was ranked as the No. 26 overall player in the ESPN 300 for the 2023 class. He had a promising start to the season, catching 8 passes for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, his playing time had diminished in recent weeks, as other young receivers like Isaiah Bond, DeAndre Moore Jr., and Matthew Golden saw increased reps.
The reasons behind Cook’s departure from the program are still unclear, but reports suggest there had been some “locker room” issues brewing for a while. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has not yet commented publicly on the situation.
Cook’s exit is a significant loss for the Longhorns, who were expecting big things from the talented wideout. As a five-star recruit, he was a key part of Texas’ highly-ranked 2023 recruiting class, which also included top quarterback prospect Arch Manning.
With Cook no longer on the roster, the Longhorns will need to rely even more heavily on their other young receiving threats, such as Bond, Moore, and Golden, to fill the void. The team is currently ranked No. 5 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings and is looking to make a push for a spot in the postseason.
It remains to be seen where Cook will land next, as underclassmen players are not eligible to enter the NCAA transfer portal until December 9th. However, given his pedigree and potential, he is sure to be a highly sought-after commodity on the transfer market.