AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed reports Thursday that sophomore wide receiver Johntay Cook II is no longer with the program and that the decision to part ways was "mutual." Cook, a 4-star 2022 prospect out of DeSoto, came to the Longhorns primed to be one of the most dynamic wideouts the program has had. However, three receivers came to Austin via the transfer portal, and along with freshman Ryan Wingo, there just wasn't enough room on the field for everyone. Longhorns seek to regain offensive ‘mojo’ in SEC play "We have nothing but respect for him and his family, and we wish him the best of luck," Sarkisian said. Cook had eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns in six games this season. According to Adam Gorney, national recruiting director for Yahoo! Sports and Rivals, the Oregon Ducks, Georgia Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels have already contacted Cook about transferring. He'll undoubtedly be one of the top players in the transfer portal for next season. He's represented by Athletes First founder David Mulugheta who also negotiates contracts for NFL players such as Green Bay's Jordan Love and Miami's Jalen Ramsey. Texas 5th in first College Football Playoff rankings In the transfer portal and NIL era, players have the freedom to move like free agents in professional sports to a certain degree. If a player isn't getting the playing time they feel they deserve, they can hit the portal and move on to a team with potentially a better situation. Sarkisian knows that's part of the game now and he's adapting to it like every other coach. "Some of that is natural, but we try to pride ourselves as being a heck of a developmental program and we have some examples of that on our roster," he said. "We have guys that maybe weren't frontline starters in Year 1 or 2, but developed into really productive players by the third or fourth year. I try not to fall prey to that ... that is just what's going to happen, but I understand it when it happens." The transfer portal opens Dec. 9 and Cook won't be able to play until the 2025-26 season. Availability Report: Broughton out for 1st half Texas defensive lineman Vernon Broughton will miss the first half of Saturday's game against the Florida Gators (11 a.m., ABC) due to a targeting penalty he committed against Vanderbilt. Defensive back Andrew Mukuba and edge rusher Colton Vasek are both listed as questionable while wide receiver Isaiah Bond is probable. Derek Williams, CJ Baxter, Christian Clark and Velton Gardner are all out for the season. Gardner transferred in from Southern Methodist to help backfill the running back roster following training camp injuries to Baxter and Clark. Sarkisian said Gardner suffered an eye injury.