Auburn football battling CFB blue bloods for 4-star WR

The Auburn football program has not shied away from difficult recruiting battles under the regime of new head coach Bryan Harsin. Pushing their agenda of building up the Tigers’ wide receiver corps, Coach Harsin and Coach Cornelius Williams have re-offered class of 2023 WR Johntay Cook.

The wide receiver’s first offer from Auburn came in June of 2020 from Gus Malzahn, prior to the team’s so-so season and resulting coaching change. The offers from major Power 5 schools and college football blue bloods continued to pour in for the 4-star prospect, who has now amassed upwards of 30 offers, according to his 247 Sports profile.

A native of DeSoto, TX, Cook is being heavily recruited by the Longhorns, as well as the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Baylor, and Oklahoma. Gus Malzahn also offered Cook after making the move from Auburn football to UCF.

In the 2020 season, Cook hauled in 43 receptions for 690 yards and 10 touchdowns. The sophomore receiver averaged 16 yards per catch and 62.7 receiving yards per game. He also had one rushing touchdown on an 18-yard carry.

According to LettermenRow.com, Cook has explosive athleticism and high confidence. Because of ties to the two schools, Oklahoma and Ohio State could be top contenders for the wide receiver early on:

"Oklahoma, again, may be the early school to beat. But Cook also grew up idolizing Buckeyes junior Garrett Wilson, so that could help level the playing field. The Sooners caught his attention over the years because of their wide-open offense and their success with receivers like him, guys like CeeDee Lamb and Hollywood Brown."

With two offers from the Auburn football program in Cook’s pocket, the Tigers have made it clear that they are serious about recruiting the Texas receiver. Cook is currently the No. 9 wide receiver in the recruiting class of 2023 and the No. 8 recruit out of the state of Texas.