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Transfer Cycle 2024-2025 - It's Time For You Dorks To Worry About the Numbers

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MuellerHorn

MuellerHorn 4175

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More context from FCB:

What you need to know about the "mutual" parting of ways between Texas and WR Johntay Cook

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What you need to know about the "mutual" parting of ways between Texas and WR Johntay Cook

AUSTIN, Texas — Sophomore receiver Johntay Cook was the fifth-highest rated member of Texas' 2023 recruiting class and could go on to have a great college career at Oregon or Ohio State or wherever he ends up.

But right now, a player leaning toward the transfer portal at season's end was enough for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, whose Longhorns are No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Saturday's 11 am CT game against Florida, to encourage Cook to finish up his semester away from the Longhorns' football team, according to sources close to the situation.

Cook was called into a meeting with Sarkisian on Thursday morning, and during their conversation, it came up that Cook was considering transferring at the end of the semester, sources said.

That was all Sarkisian needed to hear and told Cook it was probably best if they mutually parted ways immediately, sources said.

"We've had some roster movement today with Johntay Cook moving on," Sarkisian said Thursday during a regular weekly teleconference with local media. "You know, we have nothing but respect for he and his family. Wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Sarkisian called the parting "mutual."

Cook undoubtedly thought he was going to be a bigger piece of the offense this season as the only returning wideout with a catch in a game last season (eight catches for 136 yards in 2023).

The arrivals of junior transfers Isaiah Bond from Alabama and Matthew Golden from Houston as well as grad transfer Silas Bolden from Oregon State and five-star freshman Ryan Wingo suddenly gave Texas a receiver room six-deep along with returning sophomore DeAndre Moore Jr.

Cook was averaging 25.8 snaps per game through Texas' first four contests of the season - third-most on the team behind Bond (42.3 snaps per game) and Golden (42.0 snaps per game).

But receivers getting fewer snaps per game than Cook through the first four contests, such as Moore (20.8), Wingo (23.8) and Bolden (20.3) were continuing to make the most of their snaps while Cook had a big drop on a deep ball from Arch Manning that would gone for a 62-yard touchdown against Mississippi State on Sept. 28 while also complaining of a toe injury.

So Cook's snaps dropped immediately to seven against Mississippi State, to four snaps against Oklahoma and to zero snaps against Georgia and Vanderbilt. He had eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns this season.

While Cook was on the sideline nursing his toe injury, Bolden was running 55 yards to recover a fumble in the end zone in a critical play against OU. Wingo was taking a 4-yard pass from Quinn Ewers against OU and turning it into a 44-yard catch-and-run and taking an end-around for 25 yards, and Moore was solidifying his role as the best blocking receiver on the team and as an emerging leader.

At Texas, the fish are jumping into the boat to play a skill position in Sarkisian's offense. The Longhorns currently  have commitments from 2025 five-star WR Kaliq Lockett, four-star WR Jaime Ffrench, the nation's No. 48 prospect, and four-star WR Daylan McCutcheon, the nation's No. 185 prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite Ranking.

And when there are five receivers on the team right now making plays, while one receiver might be starting to grow frustrated with the situation, feeling like he's falling behind, Sarkisian isn't going to have patience for a player having second thoughts - no matter how talented he is.

Certainly, not right now, when Sarkisian is trying to kick start an offense that has bogged down the last three games due to turnovers and penalties.

"Our mojo offensively is one thing I want to get back," Sarkisian said Monday. "Whether you want to call it our sense of urgency, our intent, the way we go about our business - we've got a talented group of guys that are very competitive. They're tough. They work really hard. They want to play well.

"Sometimes you can over try, if that makes sense. And to me, that gets back into your mojo. That gets back into our swagger a little bit. And I want to try to recreate that with the guys, because I know what we're capable of, and if we can get that clicking to go along with what we're doing defensively and special teams-wise, that would be a huge bonus."

When you're trying to get your mojo back, the last thing a coach wants is a player in the locker room who isn't all in - especially in a room where the players are all in.

Sarkisian was asked Thursday if it's expected for a player to want to transfer out of a room in which five guys are already producing?

"I think in this day and age of college football, some of that is natural," Sarkisian said. "We try to really pride ourselves on being a heck of a developmental program. And you know, I think that we have some living examples on our roster today of guys that maybe weren't front-line starters in year one or year two and then developed into really productive players in year three or even in year four.

"And so I try not to fall prey to, 'That's just what's going to happen,' but I understand it when it does happen."

Yeah, this wasn't mutual. It reads like Sark is trying to protect his culture and doesn't want someone who has already checked out around to bring others down. "All gas, no brakes." Seems like Sark viewed Cook as a "brake" based on his comments and FCB's additional color.

I don't have clips handy, but I noticed a few occasions earlier in the season where Cook wouldn't run to block downfield or from the other side of the field to follow up the play. That's something Moore and Bolden both do.

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Hookem2147

Hookem2147 20896

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3 hours ago, MuellerHorn said:

More context from FCB:

What you need to know about the "mutual" parting of ways between Texas and WR Johntay Cook

  Reveal hidden contents

What you need to know about the "mutual" parting of ways between Texas and WR Johntay Cook

AUSTIN, Texas — Sophomore receiver Johntay Cook was the fifth-highest rated member of Texas' 2023 recruiting class and could go on to have a great college career at Oregon or Ohio State or wherever he ends up.

But right now, a player leaning toward the transfer portal at season's end was enough for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, whose Longhorns are No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Saturday's 11 am CT game against Florida, to encourage Cook to finish up his semester away from the Longhorns' football team, according to sources close to the situation.

Cook was called into a meeting with Sarkisian on Thursday morning, and during their conversation, it came up that Cook was considering transferring at the end of the semester, sources said.

That was all Sarkisian needed to hear and told Cook it was probably best if they mutually parted ways immediately, sources said.

"We've had some roster movement today with Johntay Cook moving on," Sarkisian said Thursday during a regular weekly teleconference with local media. "You know, we have nothing but respect for he and his family. Wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Sarkisian called the parting "mutual."

Cook undoubtedly thought he was going to be a bigger piece of the offense this season as the only returning wideout with a catch in a game last season (eight catches for 136 yards in 2023).

The arrivals of junior transfers Isaiah Bond from Alabama and Matthew Golden from Houston as well as grad transfer Silas Bolden from Oregon State and five-star freshman Ryan Wingo suddenly gave Texas a receiver room six-deep along with returning sophomore DeAndre Moore Jr.

Cook was averaging 25.8 snaps per game through Texas' first four contests of the season - third-most on the team behind Bond (42.3 snaps per game) and Golden (42.0 snaps per game).

But receivers getting fewer snaps per game than Cook through the first four contests, such as Moore (20.8), Wingo (23.8) and Bolden (20.3) were continuing to make the most of their snaps while Cook had a big drop on a deep ball from Arch Manning that would gone for a 62-yard touchdown against Mississippi State on Sept. 28 while also complaining of a toe injury.

So Cook's snaps dropped immediately to seven against Mississippi State, to four snaps against Oklahoma and to zero snaps against Georgia and Vanderbilt. He had eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns this season.

While Cook was on the sideline nursing his toe injury, Bolden was running 55 yards to recover a fumble in the end zone in a critical play against OU. Wingo was taking a 4-yard pass from Quinn Ewers against OU and turning it into a 44-yard catch-and-run and taking an end-around for 25 yards, and Moore was solidifying his role as the best blocking receiver on the team and as an emerging leader.

At Texas, the fish are jumping into the boat to play a skill position in Sarkisian's offense. The Longhorns currently  have commitments from 2025 five-star WR Kaliq Lockett, four-star WR Jaime Ffrench, the nation's No. 48 prospect, and four-star WR Daylan McCutcheon, the nation's No. 185 prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite Ranking.

And when there are five receivers on the team right now making plays, while one receiver might be starting to grow frustrated with the situation, feeling like he's falling behind, Sarkisian isn't going to have patience for a player having second thoughts - no matter how talented he is.

Certainly, not right now, when Sarkisian is trying to kick start an offense that has bogged down the last three games due to turnovers and penalties.

"Our mojo offensively is one thing I want to get back," Sarkisian said Monday. "Whether you want to call it our sense of urgency, our intent, the way we go about our business - we've got a talented group of guys that are very competitive. They're tough. They work really hard. They want to play well.

"Sometimes you can over try, if that makes sense. And to me, that gets back into your mojo. That gets back into our swagger a little bit. And I want to try to recreate that with the guys, because I know what we're capable of, and if we can get that clicking to go along with what we're doing defensively and special teams-wise, that would be a huge bonus."

When you're trying to get your mojo back, the last thing a coach wants is a player in the locker room who isn't all in - especially in a room where the players are all in.

Sarkisian was asked Thursday if it's expected for a player to want to transfer out of a room in which five guys are already producing?

"I think in this day and age of college football, some of that is natural," Sarkisian said. "We try to really pride ourselves on being a heck of a developmental program. And you know, I think that we have some living examples on our roster today of guys that maybe weren't front-line starters in year one or year two and then developed into really productive players in year three or even in year four.

"And so I try not to fall prey to, 'That's just what's going to happen,' but I understand it when it does happen."

Yeah, this wasn't mutual. It reads like Sark is trying to protect his culture and doesn't want someone who has already checked out around to bring others down. "All gas, no brakes." Seems like Sark viewed Cook as a "brake" based on his comments and FCB's additional color.

I don't have clips handy, but I noticed a few occasions earlier in the season where Cook wouldn't run to block downfield or from the other side of the field to follow up the play. That's something Moore and Bolden both do.

Gerry mentioned on an OTF video today that someone in Cook's circle has been in his ear about entering the portal basically all year. 

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Tex-19

Tex-19 2869

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So I guess we'll probably be in the market for a portal WR now? Losing Bond, Bolden, Cook for sure. What are the odds on Golden going pro?

That leaves you with Moore, Wingo, and maybe Golden as the only guys with experience. Then add a couple 5 star Freshmen to the mix but who knows how ready they'll be. Sark doesn't seem to like taking any chances at WR

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texifornia

texifornia 56422

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2 minutes ago, Tex-19 said:

So I guess we'll probably be in the market for a portal WR now? Losing Bond, Bolden, Cook for sure. What are the odds on Golden going pro?

That leaves you with Moore, Wingo, and maybe Golden as the only guys with experience. Then add a couple 5 star Freshmen to the mix but who knows how ready they'll be. Sark doesn't seem to like taking any chances at WR

Aaron Butler will have a year in the system if not on the field, and he's quick as hell. Dubose needs to either be all the way back from his injury or out the door. And we'll probably try to take one or two excellent Portal guys because why not.

Edited by texifornia
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Mother mopar

Mother mopar 3291

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1 hour ago, Tex-19 said:

So I guess we'll probably be in the market for a portal WR now? Losing Bond, Bolden, Cook for sure. What are the odds on Golden going pro?

That leaves you with Moore, Wingo, and maybe Golden as the only guys with experience. Then add a couple 5 star Freshmen to the mix but who knows how ready they'll be. Sark doesn't seem to like taking any chances at WR

I belive Bolden has a year of eligibility left.  

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FCB

FCB 32

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Cook had posted some mess last year about hitting the portal or some such. Seems very much like the diva that if he's not getting what he wants, he's making noise then hitting the portal. 

I think texas is healthy enough in recruiting and portal to survive losing unproductive divas

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Burt Macklin

Burt Macklin 18986

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5 hours ago, Tex-19 said:

So I guess we'll probably be in the market for a portal WR now? Losing Bond, Bolden, Cook for sure. What are the odds on Golden going pro?

That leaves you with Moore, Wingo, and maybe Golden as the only guys with experience. Then add a couple 5 star Freshmen to the mix but who knows how ready they'll be. Sark doesn't seem to like taking any chances at WR

We were probably going to hit the portal for 1 or 2 high level WRs already. I don’t think Cook leaving had any affect on that. 

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Laxtonto

Laxtonto 11926

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1 hour ago, Funk Doctor Spock said:

If Niblack returns it gives another receiving threat. 

Sucks about Cook, welcome to.the new CFB

 

The loss of Cooks is further mitigated with the fact that modern CFB allows for the true freaks at the WR postions to step in and play their first season on campus. So the real question is how close to Wingo is either Lockett or French in comparison to Cook to a a transfer...

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Funk Doctor Spock

Funk Doctor Spock 11905

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59 minutes ago, Laxtonto said:

The loss of Cooks is further mitigated with the fact that modern CFB allows for the true freaks at the WR postions to step in and play their first season on campus. So the real question is how close to Wingo is either Lockett or French in comparison to Cook to a a transfer...

That's a great question. I know both have better hands and fight for 50/50 balls and don't pout. They put in the work, but at the end of the day it's on them. HS is easy for them, college is no. But I think, imo, both Lockett and Ffrench will immediate impact, much like Wingo. They're gonna need to get caught up on the playbook, but both are superior to Cook. Both block, fight for balls, and want to battle. 

No disrespect to Johntay, but his hands are made of concrete. The aforementioned have actual hands and don't drop easy passes. They're gonna love Arch. But we'll never know until they see the grind of CFB.i doubt they're worried about a transfer or two. They're not stupid. They know they have to learn and earn their plscd. They're more DeAndre Moore than Cook what I've gathered. Culture fit, elite, what's to win at all costs, and the money is great, too..

Johntay just did nothing. He was gifted wjth 1st string reps and got passed over by a possible 1st rd pick this year, a possible 1st rd pick in 2027, and Moore if he leaves will be another dasv drafted. Johntay did this all by himself. As far as I know he didn't approach Sark to ask what he can do better to see the field instead of sulking. He didn't follow Moore or Wingo using the Juggs machine after practice. He as once of the last to make it to practice. My empathy is nonexistent for the kid. He had the world in front of him and shit it away.

Sorry, I think I missed you last question. I think they're far more comparable to Wingo with size, work etgoc, biding their time, and don't be a bitch. They know they kmow they'll get their time next year, even if it's hurt limited minutes. 

Edited by Funk Doctor Spock
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Hank_Hill

Hank_Hill 18449

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8 hours ago, Funk Doctor Spock said:

 

 

Sorry, I think I missed you last question. I think they're far more comparable to Wingo with size, work etgoc, biding their time, and don't be a bitch. They know they kmow they'll get their time next year, even if it's hurt limited minutes. 

How could you possibly know this

Edited by Hank_Hill
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