Class of 2023 WR Johntay Cook (TX) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (5/1/25)

[Orangefizz]

First, I am not doubting that these kids are excellent players and would help us win. But at what price. I know others are more than willing to pay that price than I am. I'm just not inclined to pay it.

If we want to play at the big boy table we need to take some calculated risks.

 

[dasher]

If we want to play at the big boy table we need to take some calculated risks.

I respect other's opinion. I just disagree with it.

 

[bnoro]

If we want to play at the big boy table we need to take some calculated risks.

If Cook had two straight 1000 yard, 10 TD seasons maybe you could call it a "calculated risk".

 

[dasher]

If Cook had two straight 1000 yard, 10 TD seasons maybe you could call it a "calculated risk".

I think he can play. But fran is not with these kids 24/7. And some troubled kids are not going to completely buy in to DART 24/7

 

[Orangefizz]

If Cook had two straight 1000 yard, 10 TD seasons maybe you could call it a "calculated risk".

if we had $2 million to pay a receiver we wouldn’t hve to take these risks. Fran is using his DART philosophy to get talented players within our budget.

He’s a competitive coach and knows how challenging our schedule is and wants to win some of these difficult road games

 

[hoopsupstate]

If Fran brings these kids in, I’m sure he must have a plan for every one of them. I’m sure NIL will be tied to behavior and work ethic. Everything will have to be earned. I’m anxious to hear Fran‘s explanation for bringing in these players.

 

[Franz69]

I’m a Fran Brown cult member haha

 

[GoSU96]

if we had $2 million to pay a receiver we wouldn’t hve to take these risks. Fran is using his DART philosophy to get talented players within our budget.

He’s a competitive coach and knows how challenging our schedule is and wants to win some of these difficult road games

Even if they had the money it’s stupid. 800k for a slot receiver, on this team this year is stupid.

 

[tep624]

He has 16 catches for 273 yards and 2 TDs in his career. He's had two arrests and has been dismissed from Washington. And he hasn't come close to living up to his recruiting profile.

I don't think we even would've been excited about this kid under Babers.

Pretty sure we would have. The board was excited by Braden Davis for ’s sake. This kid at least has some stats lol.

 

[tep624]

He’s going to get a shot at redemption and if he doesn’t grow he won’t be around. Low risk, high reward. You have to take a few calculated risks here and there.

 

[oldpinepoint]

Welcome to big league football. The stakes are higher than this

 

[orangemass]

if we had $2 million to pay a receiver we wouldn’t hve to take these risks. Fran is using his DART philosophy to get talented players within our budget.

He’s a competitive coach and knows how challenging our schedule is and wants to win some of these difficult road games

Absolutely

 

[CuseBlood44]

First, I am not doubting that these kids are excellent players and would help us win. But at what price. I know others are more than willing to pay that price than I am. I'm just not inclined to pay it.

Right. This isn’t a 1-1 example to use but let’s say a Henry Ruggs style 5 star WR with is as available in the portal. Just because he’s there doesn’t mean we should bring him in and try to fix him, many of us live/work/drive the same roads as these players or have loved ones we care about that do. It’s bigger than football sometimes. Again, I’m not saying this kid is a grave threat - just an example

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

First, I am not doubting that these kids are excellent players and would help us win. But at what price. I know others are more than willing to pay that price than I am. I'm just not inclined to pay it.

What if part of the program is helping kids who have done “stupid” things (not talking intentional, violent things) get on the right path. Sometimes a bit of leadership and positive culture helps young people find their way. I am sure SU has chased others with far worse transgressions. For faculty, SU is only concerned with felonies, not misdemeanors or violations. https://dailyorange.com/2019/10/background-checks-raise-concerns-among-faculty/. Shouldn’t students have the same consideration?

 

[FrancoPizza]

He’s going to get a shot at redemption and if he doesn’t grow he won’t be around. Low risk, high reward. You have to take a few calculated risks here and there.

Sounds more like Red Dead Redemption

 

[dasher]

What if part of the program is helping kids who have done “stupid” things (not talking intentional, violent things) get on the right path. Sometimes a bit of leadership and positive culture helps young people find their way. I am sure SU has chased others with far worse transgressions. For faculty, SU is only concerned with felonies, not misdemeanors or violations. https://dailyorange.com/2019/10/background-checks-raise-concerns-among-faculty/. Shouldn’t students have the same consideration?

I don't want people with checkered past teaching or attending Syracuse. Others are free to disagree. I've stated my view. And let's be clear, we are only doing this with kids that are great at football. I haven't seen a mediocre player with that back ground brought in for a visit. We are doing this for potential wins. For me, it isn't worth it.

 

[PeteCalvin]

And I'm not making any commentary on Fran, but some if not most of the guys that make it to the height of this profession are major weirdos.

 

[dasher]

if we had $2 million to pay a receiver we wouldn’t hve to take these risks. Fran is using his DART philosophy to get talented players within our budget.

He’s a competitive coach and knows how challenging our schedule is and wants to win some of these difficult road games

Of course. Not worth it in my opinion. And if one of these kids does something stupid, it will set both Fran and the program back.

 

[CbusCuse]

There’s rumors that he didn’t take with the new Washington teammates because of some hazing from the most recent Wash/Tex games. That was supposedly the big catalyst for it not working out. Take it FWIW.

I trust Fran to screen this on the front end. If he thinks he’s a take, then I would cheer for him accordingly.

What i read, Somewhat related...

He went to a smoke shop. Tried buying something and his CC was declined. He was asked to leave and he reacted by grabbing a key fob and leaving. When stopped by police they asked for the key fob to be returned and he refused.

Oh and, he was arrested for Marijuana possession in Pottsboro, TX...

I don’t understand refusing to give up something you stole when you are caught red handed. I always gave some leniency when the offender cooperated. I hope he has changed and makes better life decisions from here out.

These posts above seem to give some context and paint at least a portion of the picture. Having to depart from two schools is certainly a red flag. But I certainly don’t know the entire situation.The weed stuff isn’t great. Hardly makes him a bad character individual. But if this kid wants to be successful in football at all and make it to the NFL, he’s going to have to come to the realization that this can’t be an activity he partakes in, certainly for the next couple of years. Otherwise his dreams are likely out the window.

The whole theft thing is a bit of an odd story no? Taking a key fob that is not for your own car isn’t theft to gain something. It’s rather meant to hurt the other party and it sounds like it is likely in retaliation. This was after his credit card was declined and he was asked to leave. Complete speculation on my part, but my best guess is he didn’t like what was being said to him and how he was being treated there and possibly felt disrespected. So this is how he lashed out. Not smart.

Still not wanting to give it back after the cops were involved makes me think he felt like he was wronged and maybe he was. My guess is he feels he was making it right. Again this doesn’t mean he is a bad charachter individual. But certainly not the right reaction and shows bad judgement for sure.

Some of you guys act like you don’t think Fran comprehends how having a bad seed can affect the team etc. Come on. That’s BS. I guarantee he knows it better than all of us.

Fran is going to do plenty of homework and get the Details of all of these incidents. That is the D in Dart after all. I’m sure he has spoken with him to see if he is willing to take Accountability for his actions. He will paint the picture for him of exactly what it will be like at SU and the strict rules and the narrow path he will have to take. He’ll let him know this is all for his own good and because he wants to see him succeed. Fran is a good dude. And he will help him do that if he buys in to that plan. If Fran wants to take a shot on him, then I’m rooting for this kid to grow up, make better decisions and succeed on the field. We should have as good of a culture and support system as anywhere else.

You guys can be nervous and question the decision and that’s fare I guess. He’s brought in some question marks to get knowledge of their situation. But Fran isn't a dummy. And I have no reason to not give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.

That said, because of Cooks past, I’m certainly not depending on this kid to not falter and I’m sure Fran isn't either. if he turns it around, we have a great player and great story on our hands. If he take a significant miss-step well that’s that and we move on. Good luck in your future after SU. With the system in place and character we have on the roster, I doubt his bad decisions rub off on others negatively to the point it affects the program.

And in regards to his production, he has played a true freshman season and then it looks like 4 games his sophomore year before being dismissed. He has about 270 yds and 2 TD’s in that time. It appears he has 3 more years of eligibility, well If he makes it that long. If he can stay out of trouble I’m guessing he will not have a problem producing on the field.

 

[wfschrec]

Of course. Not worth it in my opinion. And if one of these kids does something stupid, it will set both Fran and the program back.

Todd Burgan didn’t set the hoops program back … got a slap on the wrist and suspended for games like Buffalo … what Todd did was worse I’m sorry.

 

[cuseguy]

Cook has a checkered past. Not ideal, but I’m sure Fran has a plan. Hey, it’s not like morals and character mean much these days.

 

[Jcuse_44]

I don't want people with checkered past teaching or attending Syracuse. Others are free to disagree. I've stated my view. And let's be clear, we are only doing this with kids that are great at football. I haven't seen a mediocre player with that back ground brought in for a visit. We are doing this for potential wins. For me, it isn't worth it.

What if Fran could help him turn things around in his life? To me that's more valuable than his football results.

 

[PAcuse]

Nobody said anything about mistreatment. None of the articles mentioned it either. That is clearly an assumption.

Reread what I said. A HISTORY of mistreatment.
I NEVER said it happened here….

 

[Comstock44]

What i read, Somewhat related...

He went to a smoke shop. Tried buying something and his CC was declined. He was asked to leave and he reacted by grabbing a key fob and leaving. When stopped by police they asked for the key fob to be returned and he refused.

Oh and, he was arrested for Marijuana possession in Pottsboro, TX...

Are these the only "issues" surrounding him? This is nothing.

 

[mark79]

I see no harm in bringing him in and talking to him. Knowing Fran’s character as little as I do, I do know he believes in helping young men.

Meet face to face. Learn about the kid. Ask him some questions about his goals in life. Tell him that yes, life is hard but that he will stand by him if he agrees to do things DART and that to violate DART has consequences. Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes kids need to find someone they can trust because they’ve never had anyone they can trust.

It could work out, it could not, but I do believe even if it doesn’t work out Fran will have at the very least taught the kid some lessons. And he won’t let the kid rot the team that’s for sure, because he’ll be all over it.

Is going this route easy or preferable even? No. But I think Fran finds a LOT of personal value helping kids and he may take a shot at a kid if he feels the face to face has potential and he finds some character below the surface.