With the transfer portal officially closing at midnight, the clock may be ticking, but the real movement is just getting started. Players who got their names in before the buzzer still have time to weigh their options, and one name to keep a close eye on is wide receiver Johntay Cook.
Cook’s journey has already taken a few interesting turns. A former Top247 recruit, he initially signed with Texas back in December 2022-a major get at the time for the Longhorns.
But after two seasons and limited opportunities, Cook entered the portal in November 2024 in search of a fresh start. That led him to Syracuse, where he finally got a chance to showcase his talent.
And he made the most of it.
In his lone season with the Orange, Cook hauled in 45 catches for 549 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers don’t leap off the page, but they’re solid-and more importantly, they hint at untapped potential.
Cook showed flashes of the explosiveness and route-running polish that made him such a coveted recruit coming out of high school. He’s the kind of receiver who can stretch a defense vertically but also work underneath and move the chains.
That versatility is why he’s still drawing serious interest as the portal window closes.
According to 247Sports' transfer rankings, Cook currently sits as the No. 53 wide receiver and the No. 269 overall player available. That puts him squarely in the “impact contributor” tier-someone who may not be a program-altering addition on paper, but who could absolutely become a difference-maker in the right system.
And now, it looks like the decision phase is heating up.
After taking a handful of visits, sources indicate that three schools have emerged as frontrunners in the race for Cook. While the final decision hasn’t been made public yet, the fact that he’s narrowed it down suggests we’re nearing the finish line.
For teams still looking to bolster their receiving corps, Cook offers a compelling blend of experience, upside, and hunger to prove himself. He’s already shown he can produce in a Power Five setting, and with the right fit, he could take another step forward in 2025.
The portal may be closing, but Johntay Cook’s next chapter is just getting started-and wherever he lands, expect him to make some noise.