3 second-year Texas players ready to make a jump in 2024

Johntay Cook II, WR

Probably the furthest along wideout in terms of talent and development among the second-year guys (Moore, Niblett, and Cook) is the former five-star from DeSoto High School, Cook.

After waiting patiently behind Texas's starting trio of wide receivers last season, Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, and Adonai Mitchell, Cook now has his chance to become a starter in 2024.

Cook benefitted from getting early reps in live-game action last year, including a dozen targets, eight catches, and 136 receiving yards during his true freshman campaign for Texas. He continued to cement his spot in Sarkisian's top group of five or six wideouts for this upcoming fall as Cook consistently received first-team reps in spring practice.

Sarkisian and wide receivers coach Chris Jackson assembled this receiving corps this offseason with the direction of wanting to play position-less football with a bunch of movable, versatile skill weapons on offense. That's why Sarkisian was able to convince multiple big-time and immediate impact wide receiver transfers, like Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond, to come to Texas this year and potentially win the SEC and contend for a title.

Cook fits the mould perfectly of a versatile wide receiver who can be lined up in multiple spots pre-snap in the passing game. You can line him up out of the slot to get down the seams or work inside on short and intermediate routes, get him the ball in space in the screen game, or motion him outside to get deep down the boundary.

Whatever way Sarkisian decides to slice things up this fall regarding the distribution of snaps and targets from Quinn Ewers to all these talented wide receivers, I think Cook's versatility and elusiveness in space guarantees he'll get his fair share in the passing game.

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