Top Syracuse receiver Johntay Cook II transfers to Ole Miss
Former Syracuse wide receiver Johntay Cook II transferred to Ole Miss, 247Sports reported Friday. Cook led the Orange with 549 yards in 2025. Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer
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Former Syracuse wide receiver Johntay Cook II transferred to Ole Miss, he revealed to 247Sports Friday. Cook is SU’s second former receiver to join the Rebels in the past week, following Darrell Gill Jr.’s commitment on Wednesday.
Had he remained at SU, Cook would’ve had a significant role in its receiver room, especially with Steve Angeli set to return from his Achilles tear. Cook caught 18 passes for 234 yards in the four games he played with Angeli but ultimately decided to enter the portal on Jan. 1.
As the No. 38 recruit in the class of 2023, Cook began his career at Texas but struggled to make an impact — totaling 16 receptions in two seasons — and left the program on Nov. 7, 2024. He transferred to Washington less than two months later but was dismissed from the Huskies on Jan. 14, 2025, following a violation of program rules.
Cook was arrested twice in his home state of Texas within the next month — once for property theft and a second time for marijuana possession. When he committed to Syracuse in May, Cook arrived determined to redeem himself and chart a course toward his NFL dreams.
Initially, it looked like SU was the perfect place for him to do just that. He led the team in receptions (45) and receiving yards (549) in 2025 but saw his production crater late. Cook only had six catches in Syracuse’s final four games, while dealing with a revolving door at quarterback after Angeli’s injury.
With the commitments of Cook and Gill, Ole Miss has successfully poached both of the Orange’s top two receivers from last season. The two combined for 1,055 yards, 77 receptions and seven touchdowns in 2025.
Fran Brown has already made moves to rebuild the unit, adding Miami University of Ohio receiver Cole Weaver, Florida State wideout Elijah Moore and Penn State receiver Matt Outten through the portal. The three join a receiver room headlined by five-star recruit Calvin Russell III, who has arrived on campus to begin his career with SU’s basketball team.
