Johntay Cook II, a much hyped-up WR, was once the sensation of college football when he joined the Texas Longhorns out of Dallas. However, he didn’t live up to that hype, having eight receptions for 137 yards and only two touchdowns for the six games he played in the 2024 college football season. However, he failed to grab a single catch since Texas played Mississippi State on September 28, 2024. Following that, the Longhorns and HC Steve Sarkisian have decided to let go of the former five-star receiver. Now, college football experts are sharing their thoughts on the WR’s departure.

On their November 8th episode, Orangebloods analysts Jeff Crosby and Chad Pennington highlighted their take on Cook cutting loose from Texas. Chad started by saying, “I think Johntay probably doesn’t truly understand why this has happened, and there’s got to be some culpability. He has to look at himself in the mirror and say, wherever I go next, what things can I not repeat? If the answer is he doesn’t know, then this isn’t gonna work out.”

In any case, the life of a college football athlete is hard. Along with that comes the opportunity to constantly grow and hone your skills. That’s what the young athletes should focus on. It’s okay that that things didn’t work out for Cook at the Longhorns. Happens! However, only an honest introspection could make the ride in the future easier. If that doesn’t happen, as per Chad, “in a couple of years from now, he’s [Cook] just gonna be on that list of guys that we talk about where we say who didn’t pan out and become the big-time guy that you thought was going to and he’ll be on that list.”

With the remaining three years of eligibility, Cook will now enter the transfer portal for a non graduate transfer portal. In his 2023 season, Cook hit eight receptions for 136 yards and zero scores. In the overall 20 career games he played, he has recorded 16 catches for 273 yards with two touchdowns. His story is more like a downfall from being the No. 24 overall prospect in the 2023 cycle and the No. 4 wide receiver to now struggling to find his place. With that, let’s find out what Steve Sarkisian has to say about Johntay Cook.

Johntay Cook’s departure could be a warning for Dan Lanning

Amidst the rumors of his nature of departure being suspicious, Steve Sarkisian clarified that the decision was mutual. He said that they mutually came to this decision and they share a strong respect for each other. On top of that, Sarkisian even wished him luck in his future endeavors. Now Cook will enter the portal when it opens again on December 9th.

As per the current buzz, Cook has been approached by the Oregon Ducks, Ole Miss Rebels, and Georgia Bulldogs, but SMU could be his top target. SMU was also one of the 41 programs that offered him scholarships when he was at DeSoto High School, but they are far from what they were two years ago.

As of now, the Mustangs are holding an 8-1 record in their debut ACC season and currently sitting at No. 13 in the college football playoff rankings. Another program that is seriously interested in Johntay Cook, the Ducks should take notes from Cook’s performance this season. Looking at the Duck’s current unbeatable status, adding a WR who’s uncertain about his potential can be challenging for their next season. Apart from that, do you have any predictions about Cook’s next destination? Let us know in the comments.