Texas returns one of the best young safety talents in the nation in junior Derek Williams, just over 10 months since suffering a torn ACL.
Texas’ 2025 defense has gone through many storylines heading into the first fall camp scrimmages.
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Firstly, there was the question of how Texas would replace four Day One and Two picks, not to mention Barryn Sorrell, who went in the fourth.
Then came the realization that Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill were returning as the best defensive duo in college football.
Now, as real football is getting played in practice, the discussion is about specific positions. Who will start, and how good will the defensive tackle position be? Where are Trey Moore and Brad Spence lining up? Who is playing STAR, and where is the best spot for Jaylon Guilbeau and Jelani McDonald?
Through all of that discourse, a player has gone relatively under the radar. Safety Derek Williams is healthy, practicing, and expected to start, and it’s as if nobody cares!
Williams was a top-70 player and a top-five safety in the class of 2023, and his impact was made immediately in Austin. Williams was one of three freshmen and one of five underclassmen who played over 300 snaps on the 2023 team that won the Big 12. Those two other freshmen are Hill and Malik Muhammad, a duo expected to be First-Team All-Big 12 level in 2025.
2023 was a good year for Williams as the No. 3 safety in the rotation. He was eighth on the team in tackles, but his coverage skills leapt off the stat sheet.
Of the 12 players targeted 15 times that season, Williams had the fourth-best catch percentage against and the second-best opponent passer rating allowed. Among defensive backs, he allowed the fewest yards per catch. On a team that finished the year with a poor performance against the pass, Williams was a rare bright spot as a true freshman.
He played well enough in 2023 that the likes of Jerrin Thompson and Kitan Crawford already felt passed on the depth chart and decided to transfer out. Even with the addition of Andrew Mukuba to the safety room of Williams and Michael Taaffe, Williams entered the year as the starter.
Against Michigan, Williams played the third-most snaps on the defense and started over Mukuba. He was PFF’s highest-graded defensive starter thanks to his five tackles and an interception. He didn’t give up a single reception in coverage.
Texas had a star emerging at safety, but the injury gods were not on his side. He suffered a hamstring injury against UTSA that sidelined him for the rest of the game and the next two. Just like his QB, Williams took two games off but was ready for the Red River Rivalry in Dallas. This time, he didn’t start but played 22 first-half snaps and was a menace in the run game against Oklahoma’s Michael Hawkins. But just as soon as Texas thought they had another star in the secondary, Williams was seen keeled over near the sideline.
It was almost unseen given the celebratory circumstances of the game, but as Monday came and went, head coach Steve Sarkisian announced a torn ACL, ending his season before it could really begin.
But as we fast forward to 2025, we can remember what he was as a player before injury. There’s no promise he’ll be back to 100%, but he was emerging as one of the best young safeties in the country. Thankfully for Longhorn fans, practice reports remain positive for him heading into the 2025 season.
When Coach Sark was asked about which players impressed him most in camp, Williams was one of the first names out of his mouth.
“Derek Williams was another guy; he had his best day, which was Day Nine,” said Sarkisian on Monday after Saturday scrimmages.
From what it sounds like, Williams is ready to go for the Ohio State game on August 30. Texas’ defense already looked stacked heading into the year, but returning one of the most exciting safety talents in the country may be the most underrated storyline for why this team can knock off the defending national champs.
Category: General Sports
