Author : Alex Schmidt
Johntay Cook, coming out of the talent packed state of Texas, is one of the most electric and talented receivers to touch the football field yet. The DeSoto HS native is listed as a strong and fast 6’0’’ 170 speedster, and is listed as a 5 star recruit by every recruiting site. The 2023 star has recently released his top 5 list, which includes two SEC programs in Texas A&M and Florida, A Big 12 program in Texas, A Big 10 program in Michigan, and a HBCU in Jackson State which has a whole lot to offer. Today, I’ll be highlighting each of these opportunities and how Johntay is viewing each of these at the moment, as well as my personal prediction for the future star.
Firstly, I’ll take a look at the SEC programs. Texas A&M, coming in with the Number 1 recruiting class in the entire nation for the class of 2022, looks to be a threat for the coming years. Jimbo Fisher has been recruiting the receiver heavily, including a visit in late 2021. He would be a massive addition to an already talent packed 2023 group for the Aggies, and will be high in consideration. However, there’s another SEC school in this mix. The Florida Gators, with new head coach Billy Napier, are in the mix as well. Although it’s a far distance from home, the gators have been recruiting Johntay incredibly well, outlasting programs such as Alabama and LSU in the recruiting process. Although it seems unlikely that Johntay attends Florida, the family atmosphere Napier can sell could be hugely important.
Moving out of the SEC but staying in SEC country, I’ll analyze the Texas Longhorns next. Johntay is visiting Austin for his official visit upcoming on June 24-26, including one of the toughest official visit edits yet. Staying close to home and close to family will likely land major points for the 5 star, and Austin, Texas, offers that and more for Johntay. Moving north, his most recent visit to Michigan comes next. Johntays tweet about Ann Arbor says it all, calling it “fire”, showing the love he received from Coach Harborough and the Wolverines. His recent official visit was a major success, and will be a good look for the Wolverines closing in on him.
Finally, I’ll take a look at the outlier. Jackson State University, with Coach Deion Sanders at the helm, has proven to be an absolute force in recruitment recently. With names such as Travis Hunter committing there, the Tigers offer the HBCU atmosphere that no FBS program can offer. Although it seems to be a long shot, don’t count the tigers out of this one. This could be a sneaky powerhouse pick, and it could happen.
So what’s my prediction? Personally, I’m leaning toward the longhorns. Texas is close to home, has a lot to offer, and Coach Sarkisian has been targeting him incredibly high recently. All 5 of the finalists are incredibly high in possibilities, and none would be surprising. Wherever Johntay ends up, he’ll be a star.