Through the first month of the college football season, the Texas Longhorns have been the best team in the nation. While their success is due to a variety of factors, one that stands out is the Texas receiving corps. On a weekly basis, a group that includes Ryan Wingo, Isaiah Bond, Johntay Cook II, and Matthew Golden, has put points on the board with ease.
Through four games, Bond and Wingo have made the biggest impact, combing for 529 receiving yards and five touchdowns. However, Golden and Cook have held their own, averaging over 13 yards a catch and finding the end zone each twice. While they have had to battle for targets, this group has enjoyed the challenge.
“The competition rises, and you just got to bring your A-game every day because (there’s) dudes around you that can make big plays,” Cook told the media on Monday.
This was a strike from Arch Manning to Ryan Wingo for the TD last night in Texas's 51-3 win at DKR over ULM! pic.twitter.com/f0yl6uvsvK
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) September 22, 2024
Additionally, regardless of who is under center, the offense has thrived. Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning have shown excellent chemistry with this wide-receiving group, which is very different from a year ago. The Longhorns quarterbacks have used the speed of their weapons to their advantage, which Cook has enjoyed being part of.
“I think it just raises the intensity and practice because the (starters) will go and it’s speed speed speed and the (backups) go and it’s speed, speed, speed, speed, sometimes threes will go and it’s speed, speed, speed, speed,” Cook said.” So it’s just a great look for the whole team just having good guys at almost three deep.”
With conference play set to start this weekend, the Longhorns will need the offense to be at its best. That should be no issue, as Cook and his fellow wide receivers have surpassed expectations and frustrated defenses.