# Johntay Cook Returns to Texas Longhorns After Two Years

> Johntay Cook, a former Texas Longhorns wide receiver dismissed in 2024, returns to Austin for Ole Miss's game this weekend.
- Title: Johntay Cook Returns to Texas Longhorns After Two Years
- Summary: Johntay Cook, a former Texas Longhorns wide receiver dismissed in 2024, returns to Austin for Ole Miss's game this weekend. Johntay Cook, dismissed from…
- Keywords: johntay cook, texas longhorns, ole miss, syracuse orange, washington huskies, transfer portal, college football, nfl, sports, Johntay, Cook, Returns
- Source: Texas Longhorns On SI — https://si.com/college/texas/football/johntay-cook-faces-texas-longhorns-two-years-after-sudden-dismissal
- Published: 2026-10-21T21:56:08+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: johntay cook, texas longhorns, ole miss, syracuse orange, washington huskies, transfer portal, college football, nfl, sports
## Johntay Cook Returns to Texas
Former Texas wide receiver Johntay Cook II is returning to DKR for the first time since being dismissed from the program in the middle of the 2024 season.
## Cook's Two-Year Journey
He committed and decommitted from the Washington Huskies, spent one year with the Syracuse Orange, and is now in his first year with Ole Miss.
## Sudden Dismissal in 2024
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian told the media in Nov. 2024 that Cook was no longer with the program, something that came up in the middle of the Longhorns' first season in the SEC.
## Sarkisian's Statement
We have nothing but respect for him and his family. Wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. It was mutual between the two of us.
## Texas' Record Before Dismissal
The Longhorns were coming off a ranked win on the road over No. 25 Vanderbilt, a victory that moved Texas to 7-1.
## Cook's Performance After Dismissal
He dropped a wide-open, would-be 62-yard touchdown pass in the SEC opener against Mississippi State two weeks later and failed to see much playing time after that.
## Cook's Final Texas Stats
He finished his two-year Texas career with 16 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
## Legal Trouble After Leaving Texas
Cook was arrested in Fort Worth in Feb. 2025 due on charges of interfering with public duties and theft of property between $100-$750, per reports from Fox 7 Austin.
## Second Arrest in Texas
And 10 days later, Cook was back in a Texas county jail for possession of marijuana under two ounces, per reports from WFAA.
## Cook with Syracuse
Despite the off-field concerns, Cook bounced back with Syracuse last year, posting 45 catches for 549 yards and two touchdowns in a career-best season.
## Ole Miss Season
He's had a quiet year with Ole Miss this season but will be looking to play a depth role on a Rebels team that has national championship aspirations.
## Cook's Ole Miss Stats
Across the first six games of the year with Ole Miss this season, Cook has tallied eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.
## Key takeaway

Johntay Cook, dismissed from Texas in mid-2024, is returning to play for Ole Miss after two years away.