Several reports surfaced early on Nov. 7, suggesting that Texas football sophomore wide receiver Johntay Cook II had departed from the UT program. This follows Cook’s absence from Texas’s Week 9 game against the Vanderbilt Commodores, where he did not participate in any snaps.
Texas football WR II leaves the program and is entering the transfer portal
Cook had minimal involvement in Texas’s last three SEC games, playing just four offensive snaps in total against Mississippi State, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt, despite injuries affecting other wide receivers in recent weeks. On Nov. 7, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed the reports that Cook and the Longhorns had agreed to part ways.
In six games this season, Cook recorded eight catches for 137 receiving yards and two touchdowns but had not made a reception since the SEC opener in late September against Mississippi State. With his departure, the second-year wideout and former five-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite has also announced plans to enter the transfer portal.
Here are three potential transfer destinations for him after his departure from the Texas program.
Oregon
Last offseason, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning and his team were well-prepared and proactive in securing talent through the transfer portal, targeting players for both offense and defense. Oregon not only achieved the highest average transfer ranking in the 247Sports Composite, but also landed the nation’s second-ranked transfer class for the 2024 cycle.
One of Oregon’s standout portal acquisitions was former Texas A&M sophomore wide receiver Evan Stewart. Stewart and Cook share a strong connection, as both hail from the DFW Metroplex where they played high school football.
Oregon, along with co-offensive coordinator Junior Adams, heavily recruited Cook in high school, and he even took an official visit to the Ducks in the summer before ultimately committing to Texas in the 2022 offseason.
Cook’s skill set appears to align naturally with Oregon’s offensive scheme, which emphasizes speed on the perimeter and aims to stretch defenses with explosive, downfield plays.
Texas A&M
Texas A&M and first-year head coach Mike Elko are a strong in-state contender to watch if Johntay Cook enters the transfer portal this winter. The Aggies have multiple connections to Cook through their coaching staff from his recruitment days at DeSoto High School as part of the 2023 class.
Texas A&M actively recruited Cook out of high school, hosting him for several unofficial visits during the 2022 offseason. Cook also included the Aggies among his five finalists before committing to Texas in the summer of 2022. A significant connection for Cook at Texas A&M is co-offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins, formerly Alabama’s wide receivers coach and a key recruiter in Cook’s initial recruitment. Wiggins, who had established a strong relationship with Cook early on, offered him as one of Alabama’s targets after multiple unofficial visits to the school.
With Wiggins now on Texas A&M’s staff and the Aggies seeking impactful skill players to support dual-threat quarterback Marcel Reed, Texas A&M could be a fitting landing spot for Cook through the portal next offseason.
Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines stand out among college football’s blue-bloods as a team needing key upgrades on offense, particularly to boost their passing game next season. Michigan has lacked elite speed and high-caliber playmakers at receiver, limiting their offensive explosiveness this year.
Cook strongly considered Michigan during his high school recruitment, making an official visit and listing the Wolverines among his finalists in 2022. Michigan co-offensive coordinator Ron Bellamy played a pivotal role in that process, building a solid relationship with Cook as his primary recruiter. This connection could be significant if Michigan explores adding Cook via the transfer portal this winter.
Head coach Sherrone Moore and Bellamy are aiming to revamp the offense through the portal, which could be an enticing opportunity for Cook, especially if Michigan can secure a talented quarterback to lead the passing attack.
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