It was over before it ever really began. Johntay Cook arrived in Washington with the kind of hype only a five-star recruit can bring. Just days after announcing his transfer from Texas, the sophomore wide receiver looked poised for a fresh start with the Huskies. But 48 hours in, everything unraveled.
Violations of team rules surfaced. The partnership fizzled. Then came Cook’s arrest, twice in two weeks. One charge was for theft, the other for marijuana possession. Washington had no choice but to move on. And now, so does Cook.
Breaking Down the Speed That Makes Johntay Cook a Portal Prize Again
If Johntay Cook didn’t have speed, the story might have ended there. But a 4.3-second 40-yard dash is hard to ignore. Speed like that gets recruited—again and again. No matter what’s gone down off the field, scouts, coaches and fans all know one thing: Cook can run.
The DeSoto, Texas, native came into college football ranked No. 38 overall in the 2023 class. Even in limited snaps, his explosiveness was hard to miss. In 18 career games—14 at Texas and a few more in early 2024 – Cook logged 15 receptions for 242 yards and two touchdowns.
He averaged more than 16 yards per catch. Unfortunately, his stint at Washington ended before it really started.
The Huskies, still adjusting to Big Ten life after their move from the Pac-12, had a rocky transition season. Under new head coach Jedd Fisch, Washington finished 6–7 and struggled to stay competitive against top-25 opponents. They needed a weapon like Cook, but off-field issues cut that opportunity short.
Still, speed sells. And Fisch is no stranger to rebuilds—he went 1–11 in his first year at Arizona before turning the program into a top-15 team by year three. Washington may have lost some speed, but the trajectory is upward. Meanwhile, Cook will be hoping someone else is willing to bet on his legs.
Let’s be honest, there are a lot of fast players in college football. But Cook has that rare ability to turn a screen pass into a touchdown. Coaches know what he’s capable of when locked in.
KEEP READING: Biggest Surprises to Enter the Transfer Portal This Spring
With a 4.3 40 and a chip on his shoulder, it’s only a matter of time before a team takes the next chance.
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