Johntay Cook parts ways with Texas Longhorns, cause of separation unknown

On Thursday morning, a report emerged that Johntay Cook was no longer with the Texas Longhorns. Inside Texas learned that sophomore wide receiver Johntay Cook has left the football program.

Cook had eight receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns this season. However, he had not logged a reception since September 28th.

In recent weeks, Texas has been practicing a wide receiver rotation that includes Isaiah Bond, DeAndre Moore, and Matthew Golden. Ryan Wingo and Silas Bolden have also seen an increase in playing time. However, Johntay Cook was absent or was utilised fairly less.

At the start of the season, there was an expectation that Cook would have an increased role after a minimal role as a freshman, but he ended up buried on the depth chart. When speaking to the media in September about the competition in the receiving room, he had this to say:

"The competition rises and you just got to bring your A game every day, because (there's) dudes around you that can make big plays. I think it's been great, and I don't even think it's showed all the way, because we've been fortunate to not have that many injuries.

"I think it just raises the intensity and practice because the (starters) will go and it's speed speed speed and the (backups) go and it's speed, speed, speed, speed, sometimes threes will go and it's speed, speed, speed, speed. So it's just a great look for the whole team just having good guys at almost three deep."

It is unclear whether Cook's dip in playing time was a factor for the separation. Nothing has been confirmed yet.

Johntay Cook joined Texas Longhorns with Arch Manning

Now that it is known that Johntay Cook is no longer with the Texas Longhorns, it is natural for fans to wonder where he will end up next. However, there is no clarity on his near future.

Cook was a five-star recruit in the 2023 class and had been a Texas lean for a long time. Along with Arch Manning, he helped Texas have the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation that year.

While quarterback Arch Manning has been able to thrive in Quinn Ewers' absence, Johntay Cook has not been able to do the same. He did not put up big numbers early in the season, and then his playing time was nearly cut completely.