The higher you climb, the more devastating a potential fall is. As cliché as that sounds, this rings true. In fact, they’re almost words of the gospel for successful athletes. How often do you see a superstar come crashing down in the twilight of their career? Or worse, before it even kicked into gear? Not only does this phenomenon apply on the field. It’s just as resounding off it. Prosperity is always trailed by pitfalls. So when you’re a coveted 5-star kid out of high school, you’ve got to be extra wary. Except, Johntay Cook fell in a hole he dug himself into. Twice. Figure that.
Imagine having the world at your feet but seeing it come crashing down in a jiffy. A lapse of judgment seizing opportunities it took you years to earn. People, especially those who get a taste of success early, can make mistakes. Repeat offenders, though, can admittedly be beyond respite. DeSoto native Johntay Cook II got recruited merely 180 miles south at the Texas Longhorns. Talk about a perfect ascension from high school to college. Blueblood program, close to home. However, things didn’t transpire with as much linearity from there on out.
Sophomore Cook was expected to be the starting outside receiver in the 2024 season. However, the stacked receiving corps of Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond, among others, has seen his opportunities be compromised. Freshman WR Ryan Wingo taking to CFB like a duck to water also didn’t help. Johntay Cook left the program abruptly in November, with little to no rationale provided. Turned out, he was more trouble than it was worth for Steve Sarkisian and co. Cook transferred over to Washington and strangely left within a couple of days. Again, no real reasoning was provided. It’s been a flurry of self-inflicted setbacks ever since.
Less than a fortnight ago, Cook was arrested for theft and interference with public duties. He was subsequently held at a correctional center in Fort Worth, TX. You’d think a player who’s been let go by 2 programs within a season learns his ways after this shock to the system. Begrudgingly, that’s not the case. On3 reports that Johntay Cook has been booked for carrying 2 ounces of marijuana in Grayson County. Out of the 52 states, 41 have legalized the recreational and/or medicinal use of marijuana. Texas hasn’t, and Cook learned firsthand.
Former 5-star Texas, Washington WR Johntay Cook arrested in Desoto, Texas on marijuana possession charges…
Details: https://t.co/L9sCTOUFJ7 pic.twitter.com/l7M8dJq7fM
— On3 (@On3sports) February 14, 2025
The most egregious part of this ordeal is that Cook doesn’t seem to care. The football realm let out a collective sigh when they saw his mugshot at the time of the first arrest. Cook was grinning, seemingly not deterred. That notion has now been evidenced with the 2nd arrest. In the backwash of this latest misdemeanor, FOX national analyst RJ Young has tried to permeate a piece of his mind through to young Johntay. Hoping his plea doesn’t fall on deaf ears.
FOX’s RJ Young voices his concern and offers profound advice to Johntay Cook
RJ Young took to his “The Number One College Football Show” YouTube channel to leverage his two cents on this affair. As a vet in the media covering all things sports, Young has seen it all. He recognizes the importance of lending a proverbial helping hand to someone in need of it. Second chances can often be hard to come by, and Johntay Cook has already technically blown his at Washington. As he contemplates his career without a college at this juncture, RJ Young reckons the road to retribution has to start from within.
RJ Young said, “[Johntay Cook] has to find a space in his head. He has to find a way to convince someone that he is willing to work harder than they are to get him back on the good foot. To achieve the potential of his talent. That would be the tragedy. The tragedy would be Johntay Cook stays in Johntay Cook’s way. I don’t want that to be his story.” Having been around so many., Young relates to the psyche of an athlete wavering off-track. He’ll wish this former 5-star and state champion can mend his ways.
It remains to be seen whether a team takes a shot at Cook. With Spring football approaching, he’ll need to get straight pronto. This 2nd arrest is a definitive line in the sand for Cook’s career. He’s firmly in sink-or-swim territory, and everyone hopes he can pull through while there’s still time.
The post Johntay Cook’s Career Takes Shocking Turn as FOX Analyst Raises Concerns Over Ex-Texas WR’s Post-Arrest Antics appeared first on EssentiallySports.
