Former Texas Longhorns Wide Receiver Johntay Cook II Arrested on Property Theft Charges

Johntay Cook II, a former standout wide receiver for the Texas Longhorns and player from DeSoto High School, was arrested on charges of property theft in Fort Worth, Texas. The incident occurred on February 4, 2025, when police responded to reports of a theft in progress. Officers arrived at the scene and found Cook, who was allegedly involved in stealing items from a construction site valued at an estimated $2,500. Upon investigation, authorities charged him with a state jail felony for theft, posing a significant challenge to his future career prospects. Cook, 19, was booked into the Tarrant County Jail, where he later posted bail. Following the news of his arrest, many expressed disappointment over the situation with the young athlete, who had previously shown great promise during his college football career. His performances garnered attention from across the nation, and he was expected to be a key contributor to the Longhorns’ offense in the upcoming season. His arrest raises concerns over how such incidents could impact not just his playing career, but also the reputation of the team and athletic program.