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

[orangefog]

Not sure if this has been posted already but here’s a podcast with Johntay from right after he committed to us. Doesn’t go into great depth but gives you a better idea of what happened the past couple years from his perspective. Seems like a good kid who got things thrown at him that he wasn’t ready to handle mentally and lost himself as a result. Credits Fran for why he choose Cuse and his belief in him as not just a player but a person (fast forward to 27 minute mark for Syracuse discussion).

He seems like a good young man, worthy of a second chance and ready to take advantage of it.

 

[SUalldway]

He seems like a good young man, worthy of a second chance and ready to take advantage of it.

He needs to let that "chip on his shoulder" drive him towards his potential. Hope it does!

 

[RF2044]

Not sure if this has been posted already but here’s a podcast with Johntay from right after he committed to us. Doesn’t go into great depth but gives you a better idea of what happened the past couple years from his perspective. Seems like a good kid who got things thrown at him that he wasn’t ready to handle mentally and lost himself as a result. Credits Fran for why he choose Cuse and his belief in him as not just a player but a person (fast forward to 27 minute mark for Syracuse discussion).

Wow -- not what I expected, at all.

Makes me more excited to see this kid in Orange.

 

[sufan59]

Wow -- not what I expected, at all.

Makes me more excited to see this kid in Orange.

It was a wild ride, but my gut tells me after listening to that, he belongs at Syracuse with Fran Brown and company to really realize his potential and grow as a man. With all the buzz around him in high school, going to Texas his hometown team, and as he mentioned the expectation to be Arch Manning main receiver target. Like the plan was supposed to be Arch Manning and Johntay Cook and the Texas offense. It’s a lot to handle and I think that sometimes when you worry too much and plan out too much what you’re going to do, how, and with who. Then dealing with roadblocks putting that in jeopardy for it to happen. It just takes away from the basic day to day things we all have to do to develop, grow, and get better. I really hope he succeeds and achieves the ultimate dream which for him is the NFL, I think he can be an inspiration to so many people if he can turn his trajectory around!

 

[mark79]

It was a wild ride, but my gut tells me after listening to that, he belongs at Syracuse with Fran Brown and company to really realize his potential and grow as a man. With all the buzz around him in high school, going to Texas his hometown team, and as he mentioned the expectation to be Arch Manning main receiver target. Like the plan was supposed to be Arch Manning and Johntay Cook and the Texas offense. It’s a lot to handle and I think that sometimes when you worry too much and plan out too much what you’re going to do, how, and with who. Then dealing with roadblocks putting that in jeopardy for it to happen. It just takes away from the basic day to day things we all have to do to develop, grow, and get better. I really hope he succeeds and achieves the ultimate dream which for him is the NFL, I think he can be an inspiration to so many people if he can turn his trajectory around!

Sometimes it’s the struggles that we have to overcome that make us stronger. Johntay showed me a lot of maturity in that interview. Pretty confident he will do well here.

 

[wfschrec]

Sometimes it’s the struggles that we have to overcome that make us stronger. Johntay showed me a lot of maturity in that interview. Pretty confident he will do well here.

He carried himself far more maturely than the interviewer ... kinda bizarre. Kid seemed very dialed in and wasn't playing into the over abundance of adulation.

 

[BKCuse]

Not sure if this has been posted already but here’s a podcast with Johntay from right after he committed to us. Doesn’t go into great depth but gives you a better idea of what happened the past couple years from his perspective. Seems like a good kid who got things thrown at him that he wasn’t ready to handle mentally and lost himself as a result. Credits Fran for why he choose Cuse and his belief in him as not just a player but a person (fast forward to 27 minute mark for Syracuse discussion).

Man this video got me fired up!
I don’t think Cook cracked a smile once. Even when host was laughing Johntay is strictly business. Kid looks focused and highly motivated and I can’t wait to watch his coming out party vs Tenn

 

[VA Citrus]

If we see him play in the Tennessee game, that'll mean he bought into DART and he's going to thrive at Syracuse. His talent is undeniable. Absolutely electric.

 

[baggerbob]

If we see him play in the Tennessee game, that'll mean he bought into DART and he's going to thrive at Syracuse. His talent is undeniable. Absolutely electric.

The type of player who has the speed to turn a good team into a great team.

 

[RF2044]

If we see him play in the Tennessee game, that'll mean he bought into DART and he's going to thrive at Syracuse. His talent is undeniable. Absolutely electric.

It is entirely possible that he'll be the top receiver for us from the jump.

Not discounting JRS, but Cook is a 5-star.

Think we're going to have a better nucleus than people think, despite the offseason attrition.

 

[UnknownOrange]

again you start to see why fran is so good at recruiting

he wants you to be the best version of yourself on and off the field. He wants to see you successful and football is certainly the vehicle, but he's going to guide you every step of the way

love it. is it august 30th yet

 

[OttoinGrotto]

It is entirely possible that he'll be the top receiver for us from the jump.

Not discounting JRS, but Cook is a 5-star.

Think we're going to have a better nucleus than people think, despite the offseason attrition.

No idea what to expect from Cook.

I'll be happy if he's just in the rotation and catches a couple of passes every game.

Let's see if he's up to being a consistent contributor before there are star expectations.

 

[RF2044]

No idea what to expect from Cook.

I'll be happy if he's just in the rotation and catches a couple of passes every game.

Let's see if he's up to being a consistent contributor before there are star expectations.

Fair. But I think his experience will pay off. I view this as a far superior acquisition to Zeed Haynes [just for comparison].

Glad we have JRS and Gill returning [with Hornsby / Ross stepping into bigger roles]. Cupboard is not bare.

 

[hoopsupstate]

He has the ability to be a game breaker. He’s one of those talented kids that can take a simple catch to the house. If he’s successful, he will create wide open looks for teammates.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Fair. But I think his experience will pay off. I view this as a far superior acquisition to Zeed Haynes [just for comparison].

Glad we have JRS and Gill returning [with Hornsby / Ross stepping into bigger roles]. Cupboard is not bare.

Watch out for Moss!

 

[UnknownOrange]

It is entirely possible that he'll be the top receiver for us from the jump.

Not discounting JRS, but Cook is a 5-star.

Think we're going to have a better nucleus than people think, despite the offseason attrition.

I agree but I look at JRS and Cook like Meeks & Pena. Outside vs Inside.

If Cook can get open and show reliable hands like Pena we're going to move the ball well because you have JRS, Gil, Hatcher, Hornsby, Ross, etc that you need to account for

 

[RF2044]

I agree but I look at JRS and Cook like Meeks & Pena. Outside vs Inside.

If Cook can get open and show reliable hands like Pena we're going to move the ball well because you have JRS, Gil, Hatcher, Hornsby, Ross, etc that you need to account for

Fingers crossed on Hatcher. The timing of his injury makes me concerned about his availability / recovery in time for the upcoming season.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Fingers crossed on Hatcher. The timing of his injury makes me concerned about his availability / recovery in time for the upcoming season.

Yeah, I'm worried he might have played his last college football snap.

 

[GoSU96]

It is entirely possible that he'll be the top receiver for us from the jump.

Not discounting JRS, but Cook is a 5-star.

Think we're going to have a better nucleus than people think, despite the offseason attrition.

I think top 4 are Gill,JRS, Cook, Hatcher (if he’s ready to go). Hornsby, Ross, Thomas, DJ competing for the next two spots.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Watch out for Moss!

Moss? Which one?
Randy? Rice? Eddie?

 

[MamesJungro]

Yeah, I'm worried he might have played his last college football snap.

It’s still wild to think that if Hatcher doesn’t get the ball ripped away against BC in 2023, we probably win that game—and somehow Dino squeaks out 7 wins without a quarterback and keeps his job.

Now, in some kind of bizarro world, we’re coming off a 10-win season, have multiple five-star receivers excited to play for us, had highly regarded QBs from Ohio State, Notre Dame, and LSU transfer in, and just flipped a defensive tackle from Penn State.

Unreal.

 

[721Comstock]

It’s still wild to think that if Hatcher doesn’t get the ball ripped away against BC in 2023, we probably win that game—and somehow Dino squeaks out 7 wins without a quarterback and keeps his job.

Now, in some kind of bizarro world, we’re coming off a 10-win season, have multiple five-star receivers excited to play for us, had highly regarded QBs from Ohio State, Notre Dame, and LSU transfer in, and just flipped a defensive tackle from Penn State.

Unreal.

Thanks Umari!!!!

That was his biggest contribution to the program.

I hope 2 things:

That he has a full recovery and finishes up his college career with his degree, and has a happy and successful life.

That all the WR’s we’ve brought in surpass him on the depth chart, and he never plays a meaningful minute for Cuse again.

The next time he gives effort on a 50/50 ball or to break up an INT on a misthrown ball, will be the first time.
He’s just not a winning player.

I had high hopes that he was a taller Taj Harris, but instead he’s had a similar career arc, minus the record-setting Frosh season.

I’m incredibly bullish on our WR room.

 

[Niastri]

Thanks Umari!!!!

That was his biggest contribution to the program.

I hope 2 things:

That he has a full recovery and finishes up his college career with his degree, and has a happy and successful life.

That all the WR’s we’ve brought in surpass him on the depth chart, and he never plays a meaningful minute for Cuse again.

The next time he gives effort on a 50/50 ball or to break up an INT on a misthrown ball, will be the first time.
He’s just not a winning player.

I had high hopes that he was a taller Taj Harris, but instead he’s had a similar career arc, minus the record-setting Frosh season.

I’m incredibly bullish on our WR room.

 

[orangefog]

Thanks Umari!!!!

That was his biggest contribution to the program.

I hope 2 things:

That he has a full recovery and finishes up his college career with his degree, and has a happy and successful life.

That all the WR’s we’ve brought in surpass him on the depth chart, and he never plays a meaningful minute for Cuse again.

The next time he gives effort on a 50/50 ball or to break up an INT on a misthrown ball, will be the first time.
He’s just not a winning player.

I had high hopes that he was a taller Taj Harris, but instead he’s had a similar career arc, minus the record-setting Frosh season.

I’m incredibly bullish on our WR room.

Totally agree on all counts. He seems to lack a couple of the letters in D.A.R.T.

 

[Cusefan69]

Gill, Cook, JRS, Hornsby, Ross and Johnson. That is high talent/high potential group. Sorry about Hatcher but just not seeing it. I sincerely hope that the young man heals from his injuries but A) I am not sure his health will be good enough to play and B) I think he gets overtaken by the young guys.