Arkansas football is looking to add a big-name wide receiver, and on Thursday, Sam Pittman & Co. is hosting a former 5-star prospect on campus. Texas Transfer Johntay Cook II will visit Fayetteville, per Mike Roach of 247Sports.
Texas transfer Johntay Cook II visits Arkansas
Out of high school, Cook II ranked No. 31 in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 4 wideout. Unfortunately, he never cracked the starting rotation in a Texas WR room chock-full of 5-star talent and is now rated a 3-star in the portal. In Cook II's two seasons with the Longhorns, he only caught 16 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
Looking for a better opportunity, the gifted pass catcher entered the portal and thought he found a new home with the Washington Huskies. Conversely, he parted ways with Washington after being on campus only 48 hours.
The reporting of why he left is ambiguous at best, but in an article from Huskies Wire, the writer claims Cook II was dismissed after 'multiple team rules violations,' within those 48 hours. Shortly afterward, Cook II was arrested twice within weeks of each other—first for misdemeanor theft and interfering with public duties and second for possession of marijuana.
Why is Arkansas pursuing Johntay Cook II?
Regardless of his past problems, Cook II is a massive talent. Here's a little of what national recruiting expert with 247Sports Chris Singletary had to say about a young Johntay Cook II:
"[Cook II has] very good burst off the ball that provides an immediate advantage on most defensive backs from the snap. Excellent quickness and change of direction... Good body control with little wasted movement as a route runner. Hands catcher who plucks the ball out of the air with ease... Will make the tough catches and compete for the 50/50 balls. Adept to running the route tree from both the slot or outside receiver positions."
Despite hardly seeing the field as a Longhorn, the few chances he did receive demonstrated that his high school assessment was still accurate. That alone may be enough for the Arkansas staff to consider Cook II.
Johntay can Cook pic.twitter.com/Z9FMWqk3W6
— Jacob Davis (@JacobScottDavis) April 24, 2025
Still, a problem remains—Arkansas is full at wide receiver, bringing in five transfers before the spring semester. Sure, Cook II is a talent that's hard to pass up, but is it a sign that something else is going on with the position?
Two of Arkansas' biggest additions from the portal were Charlotte transfer O'Mega Blake and Arkansas native Courtney Crutchfield. But throughout spring practice, neither made much noise. Transfers like Raylen Sharpe, Kam Shanks, and Ismael Cisse popped up more over the last few weeks in comparison. So, the interest in Cook II begs the question, "Are the stars of this portal season falling flat?"
According to a report from HawgSports, not necessarily, at least for Blake. Toward the end of spring practice, the Charlotte transfer started to pick up the pace. Even offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino noticed the change.
"It's taken him a while. I was hoping he would start quicker than that, but he has really come on in the last — I'd say — three practices," Petrino said. "Shown his explosiveness, his ability to make the plays, got him down the field I think the last two practices a lot, which is what we need."
With Crutchfield, not much has been reported about his performance, but he seems to have practiced mainly with the third team. While at least Blake is coming along, maybe the slow start was enough to convince the coaching staff to bring in another 'WR1' type of receiver.
Fans will have to wait and see whether that's the case, but for now, they can just be excited for a high-quality transfer visiting the Hill.