Cook, once-touted WR recruit, leaves Longhorns

Texas wide receiver Johntay Cook II is no longer with the program, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Cook, a highly touted recruit from DeSoto, Texas, was the No. 26 overall player in the ESPN 300 for 2023.

The sophomore had eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns this season for the Longhorns, who debuted at No. 5 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Cook ranked sixth among Longhorns wide receivers in targets this season while playing behind starters Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden and DeAndre Moore Jr. and has caught just one pass since Texas entered SEC play.

Underclassmen players cannot enter the NCAA transfer portal until Dec. 9.

Cook’s departure was first reported by Inside Texas.