Four-star wide receiver Johntay Cook II scheduled to visit Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. — Like the old saying goes, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” and if anyone is writing the book on how to stay in the game on the recruiting trail, it’s Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.
To see coach Kiffin at work, look no farther than 4-star wide receiver Johntay Cook II’s scheduled upcoming visit to Oxford this weekend.
Change of plans, I’ll be in the sip June 3rd – 5th🔵🔴 #hoddytoddy @Lane_Kiffin @DerrickDnix @_kbolden
— johntay II (@_jayythegreat_) May 26, 2022
Cook had been scheduled to visit Florida June 3-5; however, Coach Kiffin helped facilitate the change in itinerary to get Cook to visit the ‘Sip.
The DeSoto High School (DeSoto, Texas) is the nation’s No. 8 wide receiver and the No. 7 junior in the state of Texas. Needless to say, Cook has offers from the ‘Who’s Who” of college football.
In addition to his top five and the Rebels, Cook holds offers from: Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Boston College, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kansas, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, LSU, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburg, South Carolina, SMU, Tennessee, South Carolina, TCU, Texas Tech, Central Florida, Tulsa and USC.
There’s no other way to put it than to say Johntay Cook II is one of the most electric athletes in the class of 2023.
DeSoto 4⭐️ WR @_jayythegreat_ can get up there! @FootballDesoto @CoachSweeny @SkysTheLimitWR @WeDemBos pic.twitter.com/CGh2EtBpjf
— Juwan Davis (@MrJDavis96) May 22, 2022
The 6-foot-0, 170-pound wide receiver comes from one of the Lone Star state’s powerhouse schools and continues to be one of the most sought-after players in the class, hailing as the No. 41 overall athlete in the country, It’s easy to see why.
He dropped his Top 5 earlier this month, and while that list might not have included Ole Miss, it never stopped Coach Kiffin and staff from continuing to pursue the talented receiver
— johntay II (@_jayythegreat_) May 1, 2022
“He doesn’t go away,” Cook recently told On3 of Coach Kiffin.
“He can’t. No matter what I do or say, he won’t go away. I post something and Lane will ask, ‘What about my offense?’ That’s good recruiting…He still likes me and he’s still recruiting me, and anyone recruiting me this late, I like and I’m interested in.”
Johntay Cook II to On3, regarding Coach Kiffin’s recruitment of him
During his junior campaign, Cook put up some excellent numbers, tallying 38 catches for 806 yards, a 21.2 yards-per-catch average, to go along with his 19 touchdowns. He also made quite an impact on special teams, averaging roughly 15 yards every time the ball was in his hands.
When it comes to production on a football field, Johntay Cook II is definitely a game-changer.
The Quick Look:
Cook is a player you can’t help but watch, especially out here in Texas. When I first saw him play, I found him nothing short of electric. In fact, he quickly assumed a spot in what I, personally, call the ‘2023 Offensive Trifecta,’ that includes quarterback Arch Manning, running back Rueben Owens, and Cook at wide receiver — three of the nation’s best offensive players.
Here are just a few things I’ve noticed about Cook and why he would be a great fit in the ‘Sip.
- Extremely versatile playmaker
- Exceptional route runner
- His build and his skills cause an instant mismatch for defenders
- He is a closer. Whatever the play is, Cook is going to make it happen. He’s a big-play WR.
- He’s not too shy to tell it like it is, and that personality and vibe would clearly jive well with Coach Kiffin.
So could a flip to the ‘Sip be brewing? The fact that Cook has decided to make a detour to Oxford for a couple days is good start.
#ComeToTheSip https://t.co/vH6AhyhzAA
— johntay II (@_jayythegreat_) May 26, 2022
Oregon is also expected to host Cook for an official visit in June, and Texas and Texas A&M are both in line for official visits. Many think the Longhorns are in the lead, but the upcoming official visits will be critical.
“I’m trying to be really precise about where I go on official visits because I don’t wanna waste them,” Cook told On3.
“It’s about what coaches hit me up, it’s about who likes me and who needs me, and where I wanna go play college football.”
Johntay Cook II
Make no mistake, Coach Kiffin likes what he sees in Cook, and will, no doubt, keep recruiting him hard. There’s #NoQuitInTheSip!
Hotty Toddy from the Crootin’ Trail!
(Feature image credit: Lee Ann Herring, The Rebel Walk)
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Lee Ann is the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She is a veteran SEC sports journalist and NFL content writer. She is also the Sr. Editor for MESPORTS digital. Herring-Olvedo is a Brown University graduate who loves good cigars, good games, and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.
