CB Anthony Cook will remain at Texas

Once again, a Texas Longhorns player proved that entering the NCAA transfer portal is merely the first step in departing the program.

According to a report from Inside Texas on Wednesday, junior cornerback Anthony Cook will remain with the Longhorns despite entering the NCAA transfer portal back in June. Horns247 quickly confirmed the report.

Prior to entering the transfer portal, Cook tweeted, “Due to unfortunate situations I will not be playing another snap for the University of Texas. [This] Has nothing to do with anyone or anything. Please respect my decision.”

He later deleted the post.

Cook is now the third Texas player to enter the transfer portal and then withdraw this offseason, joining junior linebacker Juwan Mitchell and redshirt senior offensive lineman Denzel Okafor.

A 6’1, 190-pounder, Cook was a highly-touted recruit out of Houston Lamar who was ranked as a top-100 prospect nationally when he signed with Texas in the 2018 recruiting class. Over his first two seasons with the program, Cook appeared in 25 games, starting 11. In 2019, he recorded 24 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble, including six tackles against Utah in the Alamo Bowl.

Under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash, Cook moved to the Spur linebacker position — Ash’s version of the nickel cornerback role — and is expected to compete with sophomore Chris Adimora for the starting job.

Cook will have to find a new number, however, as the No. 4 jersey that he wore during his first two seasons on the Forty Acres was just claimed by freshman safety Xavion Alford.