Johntay Cook II confirms departure from Texas Longhorns

AUSTIN – Major news broke on Thursday that the Texas Longhorns would be parting ways with receiver Johntay Cook II after just two seasons with the program. Inside Texas was the first outlet to report it.

Shortly afterward, Cook II confirmed the news on Instagram with a comment under On3's post with the account name “_jayythegreat_.”

“Bounce back (will be) crazy,” he wrote.

Take a look:

By the time Cook II began SEC play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Sept. 28, his usage had declined. In that game, he dropped a would-be 62-yard touchdown pass on a deep throw from Arch Manning. He eventually added a 31-yard grab as the contest progressed, but from that missed pass on, his role diminished significantly.

Cook II met with the media for the first time as a Longhorn on Sept. 23 and said he's really “buying into the program” after an offseason of growth.

“Just my growth, my overall maturity,” Cook II said when asked about his biggest improvement. “Just my approach to my everyday life, my schedule, my routine, I would say. I’m just learning from the guys that came before me and I really believe in the program.”

He added that having such depth at receiver is a strength of the team.

“I think it was great, and I don't think it showed until the end because we were fortunate enough not to have as many injuries,” Cook II said. “I think it just increases the intensity and the training because the (starters) go and it's called speed, speed, speed and the (substitutes) go and it's called speed, speed, speed, speed, sometimes threes go and it's called speed, speed, speed, It's just a great sight for the whole team to have good people in depth at almost three.

However, it appears that his lack of commitment contributed to his departure. Cook II finishes his Longhorns career with just 16 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns in two seasons.

No. 5 Texas hosts the Florida Gators in Austin on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.

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