The Texas Longhorns are working through fall camp and are just a few weeks away from beginning a critical 2026 season where the program will look to right the wrongs of last year and find a way into the College Football Playoffs.
The roster is seemingly set for the season, while the depth chart still has a few positions in a heated battle during fall camp, looking to work themselves out over the remaining time left in fall camp.
With the second scrimmage on the horizon for the Longhorns , one key position battle in the safety room, pitting Kobe Black against Derek Williams, could find an early answer after the conclusion of the scrimmage, providing more insight into what the defense could look like in 2026.
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) walks off the field next to Texas Longhorns defensive back Derek Williams Jr. (2) in the second half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
The Longhorns are riddled with plenty of talent ahead of the 2026 season, with a roster rich in star power, and experience, a combination that has determined many of the past national champions over the sport's past.
Black and Williams both fall into that category, as they both return for their third and fourth seasons with the Longhorns, respectively. Over the past two seasons, they each have amassed a respectable stat sheet, with Black racking up 28 tackles and one interception, while Williams has 76 tackles and one interception.
Black is fighting for the safety spot while also managing a position change, having been a cornerback last season, but his play during fall camp, including from the first team scrimmage, has really impressed the coaching staff, including head coach Steve Sarkisian.
"I really think Kobe Black had a heck of a scrimmage at safety, and that was important for us because that's been his first real live action of playing safety," Sarkisain said.
Williams, on the other hand, was the projected starter in the safety role entering the year, but he also missed spring camp due to an injury he was recovering from. Ideally, the spot stays his, but continuing to show during the second scrimmage why he was the projected starter could make a big difference in how the depth chart finalizes.
If Black has another solid scrimmage, further showing he has improved his open-field tackling, something he didn't have to do much of as a corner, he could fight his way through the No. 1 role and earn his spot on the field.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram for the latest news.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/texas as Texas Longhorns Second Scrimmage Could Settle One Key Position .
