Analyzing 5 biggest official visitors for Texas football this weekend

Derek Williams, S

An extremely important target of the Longhorns 2023 class visiting Austin officially this weekend is the highly touted five-star Westgate (LA) safety Derek Williams. As one of three five-star recruits officially visiting Texas this weekend, Williams will have a lot of attention on him as he sees the Forty Acres for the second time since the spring.

Williams originally visited Texas unofficially in early April. And that’s what largely put Texas squarely in the mix in the race to land a commitment from Williams.

The real challenge for cornerbacks coach Terry Joseph and the Longhorns in the recruitment of Williams will be catching up with Pete Golding and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama looks to continue to hold an edge in the race to land a commitment from Williams this summer.

Texas will need to make a huge move with Williams during his official visit this weekend to start making up some ground to catch up with the Crimson Tide. Williams set his official visit to Alabama earlier in the week, which is set for early October. That means that Williams could be setting a fall decision timeline, which likely benefits Alabama.

It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest that, if Texas can make a big move with Williams this weekend, he will be on campus for the big-time matchup against the Crimson Tide this coming season. That would be another opportunity for Texas to catch up with Alabama for this elite Louisiana native safety.

It’s hard to imagine Texas being able to secure a commitment from a much more impressive safety in the 2023 class than Williams. He should continue to be a priority among the top defensive back targets for the Longhorns 2023 class for the rest of the summer.