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Derek Williams Jr. leaves transfer portal, to return to Longhorns
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- Derek Williams Jr. leaves transfer portal, to return to Longhorns
As the Longhorns look to build a championship roster, they had a reason to celebrate on Tuesday. Safety Derek Williams Jr. withdrew his name from the transfer portal and announced that he will be returning for the 2026 season. Over the last three years, Williams has developed into a key piece in the secondary.
During his time as a Longhorn, Williams has recorded 76 total tackles and three pass deflections. The Louisiana native has also added one forced fumble and one interception to his resume. While his playing has been inconsistent, Williams has made the most of his opportunities.
In Williams Texas, now has a veteran they can pencil into the lineup as they remake their roster. Their defense has taken a hit over the last few weeks with Michael Taaffe and Anthony Hill Jr. declaring for the NFL Draft. That duo will not be easy to replace, but Texas secured a commitment from cornerback Bo Mascoe on Tuesday. Along with Williams and Graceson Littleton, Texas has the foundation of a solid secondary.
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For Williams, staying healthy will be key as he takes on a leadership role. He burst onto the scene with an impressive 2023 campaign but was limited to four games the following season. As a sophomore, he showed signs of his 2023 form with 23 total tackles across 12 games. The Longhorns will need Williams to build on those numbers to win a title.
With a new defensive staff in place, Williams could be factor more into the safety rotation. While he will have to battle for playing time, his withdrawal from the portal shows that he now sees Texas as the best place for his career to continue.
Regardless of what changes the Longhorns make, Williams' return means the Longhorns have one less position to worry about.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football DB Derek Williams Jr. to withdraw from transfer portal
