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Sophomore wide receiver Johntay Cook is no longer with the Texas football team, according to multiple reports. There seems to be some confusion, however, on whether or not that decision was mutual.
The former five-star pass catcher signed with the Longhorns in the class of 2023. As a freshman, he made an immediate impact, appearing in 14 games and hauling in eight receptions for 136 yards.
He’s doubled that production as a sophomore, recording eight catches for 137 yards this season. Unfortunately, he’s seen a steep decline in usage over the last few weeks.
Cook racked up a season-high 56 yards in the opener vs. Colorado State. Two games later, he found the endzone twice against UTSA.
Since, he’s caught just two passes for 46 yards, and he hasn’t recorded a reception since September. Unhappy with playing time, Cook’s opted to hop in the portal.
247 Sports was one of the first outlets to break the news, saying that this was a situation that’s been brewing for some time. Their description of the exit was defined as “mutual.”
“Sources tell 247 Sports that Johntay Cook is no longer with the Texas program after both sides mutually decided to part ways.”
It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen a player pack it in midseason due to unhappiness with his spot on the depth chart.
In fact, it’s becoming somewhat of a trend in college football as players look to preserve eligibility in hopes of maximizing NIL opportunities and ensuring starting roles.
Johntay Cook has already appeared in six games this season, so his chances of a redshirt are out the window. That’s cast doubt on whether or not the early exit was actually a mutual decision.
Rivals reports that Johntay Cook was “dismissed” from the Texas football team.
BREAKING: Johntay Cook is No Longer a Longhorn https://t.co/gKplVTUJPf
— Orangebloods.com (@orangebloods_) November 7, 2024
“The word that I was given was ‘dismissed,'” said Geoff Ketchum of Orangebloods.com. “I was given no specifics, but look, you’ve got an unhappy football player whose expectations going into the season were much higher than what his role is…
“Again, ‘dismissed’ is the word that was used for me. My understanding is that Cook and his people are already looking, and may have already been looking, for landing spots… It does sound like a situation that, from within, the coaches didn’t think it was sustainable for the rest of the season.”
Steve Sarkisian went out and grabbed a number of transfer pass catchers in the offseason. It seems he didn’t have complete trust in Johntay Cook’s ability to be the top option.
Ketchum and his co-host suggested that this is something that’s been building since the spring. When Cook saw the writing on the wall this fall, he bailed.
The timing of his exit adds to speculation of the receiver being forced out. Was the decision really mutual?
For what it’s worth, Coach Sarkisian echoed the “mutual” nature of the breakup after the fact.
Steve Sarkisian says the departure of Johntay Cook was “mutual.”
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) November 7, 2024
Regardless, it seems like a transfer was always going to be the end result. Texas might’ve just sped up the process.