Texas Football: 3 2023 recruits help Horns land Arch Manning

Johntay Cook II, WR

It feels like the most important wide receiver target for the Longhorns 2023 class early on is the highly-touted four-star DeSoto product, Johntay Cook II. Texas looked to make some good early progress with Cook heading into the fall. You would have to consider the Longhorns among his top schools at this point of his recruitment.

And the idea that Texas could have a special quarterback-to-wide receiver connection that forms in the 2023 class between the likes of Cook and Manning is nothing short of astounding. But Texas has to capitalize on big-time visit weekends like this one on Oct. 16 against the Pokes to really prove that these two should land on the Forty Acres.

It does look like Cook is planning to be in attendance for the Oklahoma State game this weekend, and it is still important to continue to make progress in building the relationship with him this fall.

It is also worth noting that a couple of Cook’s top schools at this point of his recruitment also look to be common top schools that Manning has in mind. That includes the likes of the Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide.

If Texas is able to land a commitment from one of the nation’s top 10 ranked wide receivers for the 2023 recruiting cycle in Cook, it would go a long way to prove that the elite supporting cast will be there for Manning. Texas could also go a long way to prove to Manning that this receiving corps could be elite for him if five-star Frisco-Liberty wideout Evan Stewart eventually commits back to the Longhorns 2022 class.

Cook is definitely one of the five or 10 most important 2023 targets for the Longhorns on the offensive side of the ball at this point of the cycle. He could also help Texas make progress with Manning in a meaningful way.