Ole Miss Lands Another Key Weapon as Johntay Cook II Transfers from Syracuse
There’s a new wave of offensive firepower heading to Oxford.
Former Syracuse wide receiver Johntay Cook II is officially transferring to Ole Miss, joining fellow ex-Orange standout Darrell Gill Jr. in what’s shaping up to be a major reload for the Rebels’ receiving corps. The move comes after a rough season for Syracuse, which finished at the bottom of the ACC standings and is now watching its top talent head elsewhere.
Cook was a bright spot in an otherwise tough year for the Orange. In his lone season in upstate New York, he racked up 549 receiving yards and two touchdowns, showing flashes of the elite potential that once made him a top-30 national recruit. His journey to Syracuse was anything but linear-after two seasons at Texas and a brief stint at Washington, Cook returned home to DeSoto, Texas, before landing with the Orange.
But after the 2025 season, Cook and Syracuse couldn’t come to terms on a new deal, leading to his departure. Now, he joins a surging Ole Miss program coming off its best season in school history, bringing with him experience, big-play ability, and a chip on his shoulder.
What makes this move even more significant is that Cook and Gill Jr. were Syracuse’s top two receivers last season. Losing one is tough-losing both is a full-on reset.
For Ole Miss, it’s a huge win. The Rebels are not just adding depth; they’re adding proven production from a Power Five program, and they’re doing it at a time when momentum is already on their side.
As for Syracuse, the situation is more precarious. The Orange are now down their top seven receivers from last season, a staggering turnover that leaves a massive hole in their offensive identity.
The leading returning receiver? Freshman Darien Williams, who posted 101 yards and one touchdown in 2025.
That’s not exactly a wealth of returning production.
To their credit, Syracuse hasn’t been idle. The Orange have dipped into the transfer portal to bring in three new wideouts and landed two blue-chip recruits in their incoming freshman class. That’s a solid start, but there’s no sugarcoating the challenge ahead-replacing that much production, especially in a conference as competitive as the ACC, is going to take time, development, and likely a few growing pains.
With the transfer portal deadline looming-players have until 11:59 p.m. Friday to make their moves-rosters across the country are still in flux.
But for now, Ole Miss has made one thing clear: they’re not just trying to maintain last year’s success. They’re building to exceed it.
And with Johntay Cook II and Darrell Gill Jr. now in the fold, the Rebels just added two serious pieces to that puzzle.