Steve Sarkisian offers high praise for Texas WR Johntay Cook

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has a talented wide receiver room full of depth in 2024.

While the Longhorns lost its top four pass-catchers last year in Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington, and Ja'Tavion Sanders to the NFL, Sarkisian's staff was able to reload via the transfer portal this offseason.

Texas brought in Houston wide receiver Matthew Golden, Oregon State wide receiver Silas Bolden, and Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond. On top of that, five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo, one of Texas' highest rated signees in its 2024 recruiting class, was an early enrollee on campus this offseason.

In addition to the newcomers, the Longhorns have two others on the roster fighting for a starting role this season in sophomores Johntay Cook and DeAndre Moore. Needless to say, the talent and depth at the position is impressive.

While Texas fans wouldn't be surprised to see any combination of three names mentioned above starting for the Longhorns in Week 1, it may be a smart bet to assume Cook will be in one of the starting roles after hearing Sarkisian speak to the media on Thursday.

Sarkisian had high praise for Cook, specifically noting his progress from last year to this year.

On top of Sarkisian's praise, Horns247's Chip Brown reported that Bond, Cook and Moore could be the first three wide receivers to take the field against Colorado State. "Bond, Cook and Moore were all excellent in camp, and Steve Sarkisian feels strongly Cook and Moore should be rewarded for their development within the program," Brown explained.

Texas won't release an official depth chart until gameday, but Sarkisian's staff seems to feel confident in over a handful of wide receivers to perform at a high level whenever their numbers are called.

Related: Steve Sarkisian provides player availability update for Week 1 vs. Colorado State