AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns will be without sophomore safety Derek Williams for the remainder of the 2024 season, head coach Steve Sarkisian revealed during his Monday press conference.
Williams will undergo surgery for the lower-body injury that he sustained on Saturday in the Cotton Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners covering a kickoff to start the second half. Williams tried to hobble to the sideline before going down on the field.
The surgery ends an injury-marred season for the 6’2, 195-pounder from Louisiana who was ranked as the No. 4 safety in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings — Williams missed three games with a hamstring injury, ultimately playing only 98 snaps on defense this season, recording 10 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble that he recovered against Oklahoma.