Tag: Johntay Cook

Texas Football: Wish list of prospects for the 2023 recruiting class

Six players that Texas needs to get into the fold in the 2023 cycle.

Although the 2022 class is not quite over with, it is never too early to look ahead.

Texas currently has a top five class in the country for the 2022 cycle which is remarkable given the disappointing season the Horns had. But if Steve Sarkisian is going to get the program “back” to national championship-contending level, he must stack multiple elite classes on top of each other.

The Longhorns have already gained interest from some of the biggest names in the class of 2023 such as Arch Manning, Rueben Owens and Javien Toviano.

If Texas wants to sign another top level class at this time next year the product has to improve on the field. A 5-7 record is much more forgivable in season one compared to season two. Recruits will want to see Steve Sarkisian’s vision is working and the best way to do that is winning more games.

It will not take a Big 12 championship and a college football playoff birth to prove the program is going in the right direction. If Texas wins just eight or nine games in 2022 recruiting momentum will create itself.

If Sarkisian could put together a Christmas wish list for 2023 prospects, here are some of the players that would definitely make the cut:

Where top 2023 Texas targets land in updated Top247 rankings

Numerous Texas targets are ranked inside the updated Top247 for the 2023 class.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is well aware of how crucial the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes will be in terms getting the program turned around in the right direction. Continue reading “Where top 2023 Texas targets land in updated Top247 rankings”

Elite 2023 wide receiver Johntay Cook II raves about Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian

“The play-calling is second to none.”

Although losing in front of every top prospect known to man for two consecutive weeks isn’t ideal, the Longhorns are still in good standing with many of the top recruits in the country.

While winning against the Oklahoma’s would have likely made life a tad easier, or even give them more respect for Texas, there is much more to just current success that weighs on the decisions that recruits make to attend a school.

In the case of 2023 four-star wide receiver Johntay Cook II, who was present for the Oklahoma State game, he is very much impressed with what he has seen this season from Steve Sarkisian.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Cook discussed his recruitment up to this point and the schools that he has visited and enjoyed. He raved about Texas, where he has visited twice since Sarkisian took over as the head coach.

“Believe in Sark. All gas no brakes,” Cook said about what he likes about Texas. “The play-calling is second to none. It’s unbelievable how Coach Sark draws up those plays and how he gets those dudes open.”

He didn’t stop there as he also talked about the future of Texas when Sarkisian is able to get the players he wants:

“Sometimes, maybe you’re not as open as you thought you would be so you really don’t have the play-making ability to make the play as needed. So I feel like once Coach Sark gets the playmakers that he wants, like he had at Alabama, Texas is gonna be on top.”

Cook expressed that his recruitment is far from over, and although he has posted his top schools on Twitter, there are a few schools who have seemed to be prioritizing him. The programs that he has been hearing from the most are Texas, USC, Texas A&M, Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, Florida and LSU.

Of the programs he has repeatedly discussed, it seems that Texas is in that upper echelon of schools.

The DeSoto product is rated the No. 7 wide receiver in the 2023 recruiting class, according to 247Sports composite. In the country, he’s seen as the No. 9 overall prospect.

Thoughts and notes from Friday’s DeSoto-Duncanville matchup

Friday night was a historic one for Duncanville. Reginald Samples hit 300 career wins as a head coach in Texas High School Football

Friday night was a historic one for Duncanville. Reginald Samples hit 300 career wins as a head coach in Texas High School Football. According to Greg Tepper of Dave Campbell’s TF, he is the 13th coach in the state’s history to accomplish the feat.

Duncanville and its players celebrated accordingly on DeSoto’s home turf after the 42-31 win, giving Samples a few Gatorade ice showers before the final whistle. But the game was not the easiest of the 300 on the resume.

DeSoto began the game up 14-0 early in the first quarter. After a Devyn Bobby interception on the one-yard line, four-star 2023 prospect Johntay Cook took it to the house for 99 yards. A nice move from Cook and blown coverage for the Panthers left one of the best receivers in the state with acres of space.

On the next drive, Oregon commit and wide receiver Stephon Johnson Jr. made it 14-0 to give the Eagles the early lead. From there, it was all Duncanville, especially on the ground.

Three-star offensive tackle Cameron Williams anchored the right side, leaving plenty of holes for running backs Malachi Medlock and Caden Durham. The two combined for 280 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries.

Non-offensive touchdowns played a role as well. Lamodrick Spencer took an interception to the house after a tipped ball from 2024 defensive end Collin Simmons (more on him later). Davion Bluitt took a punt return back just at the stroke of halftime as well.

Duncanville only managed 44 passing yards on 18 attempts. Getting the job done with a solid run game was the clear plan for Samples’ staff on Friday.

After being down by two touchdowns in the second quarter, Duncanville scored 35 unanswered at ease. The celebration was on for Coach Samples, with banners and a rivalry win to show for it.

Coaches in attendance

It was a star-studded night of coaches in attendance at Eagle Stadium. Beginning with Texas, offensive line coach Kyle Flood and tight ends/special teams coach Jeff Banks took in the first half. The latter is known as one of the ace recruiters on staff and spent time with both coaching staffs on the field before the game.

A conference foe in Gary Patterson was there as well.

Oregon offensive line coach Alex Maribal wins the award of furthest traveled, though. He was there to see two Duck commits in offensive tackle Cameron Williams and wide receiver Stephon Johnson Jr.

Other players of note

Collin Simmons – ’24 DE Duncanville

The defensive MVP for Duncanville was defensive end Collin Simmons. The sophomore was disrupting the DeSoto passing game all night, living in the backfield. He ended up with two fumble recoveries and even tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage resulting in a pick-six.

247Sports has already rated Simmons as the No. 8 player from the state of Texas in the 2024 class. Marshall, Michigan State, and SMU are the only three to reach out so far. At this point, the clock is ticking on this recruitment blowing up.

Five-star Omari Abor even said Simmons will definitely end up being better than him.

Devyn Bobby – ’22 S DeSoto (Baylor)

Duncanville tried the passing game early on and was shut down by Devyn Bobby. He finished with one interception and should have had another the following defensive drive. Bobby was all over the field at free safety, not letting any Panther receivers behind him. And if they did, he would find a way to make a play on the ball.

Baylor currently has a commitment from Bobby. Texas has not offered the three-star but he was in Austin over the summer. Certainly an option to look at pending other 2022 defensive back results.

Remaining notes

I was excited to see two pass rushers tonight in Abor and DeSoto’s 2024 pass rusher Caleb Mitchell.

Abor did not suit up at all, dealing with a shoulder injury. He seemed to be in good spirits, though, cheering on Duncanville’s defensive performance throughout.

As for Mitchell, I assume an injury kept the sophomore off the field. Seeing him go up against Williams or 2022 Florida State commit Jaylen Early would have been a treat.

Four-star wide receiver Johntay Cooks includes Texas in top schools

Four-star WR Johntay Cook released his top schools on Sunday, with Texas making the cut. Oklahoma is the only other conference foe on the list.

Looking into the 2023 recruiting class, one of the best in-state positions is wide receiver. Three of the top 10 come from the state of Texas, two having five-star status per the 247Sports composite.

DeSoto’s High School’s Johntay Cook is one the Longhorns are going after. After receiving 34 offers from programs around the country, the four-star wide receiver decided to make his first trim.

Cook released his top 12 schools on Sunday evening, with Texas making the cut. Oklahoma is the only other conference foe on the list, while five future SEC compadres are included as well.

Texas hosted Cook back in early June. He and five-star quarterback Arch Manning got to work out inside the stadium and take the typical recruiting weekend photos together. Former commit and five-star running back Rueben Owens was with them as well.

Rating

Stars Overall Position State
247 4 55 7 9
Rivals 4 66 7 10
ESPN 4 41 10 8
247 Composite 4 45 8 8

Vitals

Hometown DeSoto, TX
Projected Position Wide receiver
Height 6-0
Weight 170

Recruitment

  • Offered on Oct. 22, 2020
  • Unofficial visit on June 12, 2021

Top 12

Crystal Ball

No crystal balls at the time of posting.

Film

Twitter

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WATCH: Arch Manning throws to Johntay Cook and Rueben Owens at Texas camp

Texas brought top juniors out to DKR to run drills. Arch Manning was able to show off his arm in front of the UT coaches for the first time.

With five-star quarterback Arch Manning in town, the buzz in Austin is palpable. Top prospects from across the country have come down to the 40 Acres, making it one of the biggest recruiting weekends Texas has had in a long time.

Before posing for pictures in uniforms, the Longhorns brought players out to DKR to run some drills. Manning was able to show off his arm in front of Texas coaches for the first time.

First, the five-star connected with Johntay Cook. The four-star DeSoto wide receiver went by a defensive back, while Manning hit him in stride over 50 yards down the field. A quarterback-wide receiver duo Texas fans could get used to seeing.

You can see the video below:

Next up was current Texas running back commit Rueben Owens. The five-star won on a double move, while Manning threw a perfect over-the-shoulder touch pass.

Watch the two ’23 five-stars connect below:

Cook, Manning, and Owens seem to have spent a lot of time together this weekend. With the running back already locked down, securing commitments from the other two will be the next step in Sarkisian’s master plan for the 2023 class.

From there, the sky is the limit. Texas would have the elite-level quarterback they have been craving for years, while the offensive identity changes instantly with Cook and Owens.

Just now finishing their sophomore years, there is a ton of time left in all three recruitments. But so far, Sarkisian and his staff have hit it out of the park.

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