Sophomore wide receiver Johntay Cook IIGolden, a former four-star recruit, is leaving Texas football and entering the transfer portal, head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed during a Zoom meeting on Thursday.
While no official reason was given for Cook’s decision, it is believed to stem from limited playing time. The DeSoto native posted eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns this season, with his most recent reception occurring during Texas’ Week 5 game against Mississippi State on September 28.
“It was mutual between the two of us,” Sarkisian said of the decision. Despite Cook’s departure, the No. 5 Longhorns’ receiving corps is expected to remain strong. Cook ranks seventh on the team in receiving yards and is tied for fifth in touchdowns.
Initially projected to have a larger role in 2024, Cook found himself lower on the depth chart due to roster additions. Junior transfers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden, along with returning sophomore DeAndre Moore Jr., hold the starting spots, while five-star freshman Ryan Wingo has emerged as a key contributor.
Sarkisian acknowledged that such shifts are inevitable given Texas’ wealth of talent but expressed his best wishes for Cook’s future.
“We have nothing but respect for him and his family,” Sarkisian said. “We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Cook was part of Texas’ 2023 recruiting class, ranked No. 3 nationally and the program’s best since 2019. That class also included redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning, the top overall recruit, as well as five-star linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and running back CJ Baxter, both rated higher than Cook.
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