Johntay Cook, Washington part ways after transfer portal commitment

Johntay Cook and Washington are parting ways, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed. The former Texas wide receiver signed with the Huskies after entering the transfer portal.

Cook signed with UW on Jan. 7, which was 10 days after he announced his commitment out of the portal. He was on campus for approx. 48 hours before the decision was made to part ways, Nakos reported. Washington Athletics declined comment to On3 about the situation.

Cook spent two years at Texas before entering the transfer portal Dec. 9. This past season, he appeared in six games, totaling 137 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the program, Inside Texas’ Eric Nahlin reported. As a freshman in 2023, he appeared in eight receptions for 136 yards across 14 appearances for the Longhorns. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Cook played high school football at DeSoto (TX), where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 31 overall recruit and the No. 3 wide receiver in the 2023 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

During the transfer process, Cook also received interest from Florida and took a visit to Gainesville before committing to Washington. He was the No. 91 overall player and No. 23-ranked wide receiver to hit the portal this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

Johntay Cook was a key part of Washington’s transfer class, which ranked No. 11 in the country, according to the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index. The headliner of the group is former Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis – the No. 12 overall player in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. Cook was the only transfer receiver coming in.

Jedd Fisch’s group is going to take on a new look next year, particularly on defense after coordinator Steve Belichick left to work under his father, Bill, at North Carolina. Fisch then looked to make a splash and did so by landing former Purdue head coach Ryan Walters, who was a highly regarded defensive coordinator at Illinois before his two rough seasons with the Boilermakers.