Texas Football: Position-by-position grades for the 2023 class post-NSD
Defensive back
# of signees: 2
Texas doesn’t have the deepest group of defensive back signees among the high school recruits in the 2023 class. But the two signees that the Longhorns did bring in are surely some of the best in the entire country.
We also have to mention that Texas technically has three defensive back signees in the 2023 class post-NSD1 after landing Holmes from Wake Forest out of the portal. That will help the depth situation in the secondary in the 2023 signing class.
Derek Williams, 5-Star S (New Iberia Westgate)
I firmly believe that the defensive recruit in the Longhorns 2023 class that will be the most effective as an immediate starter is the elite five-star New Iberia Westgate (LA) safety Derek Williams. Texas got a big win on the recruiting trail on NSD1 by being able to get Williams to sign on the dotted line.
And while it doesn’t look like Williams will be enrolling early, he will still be in a position to be a first-year starter somewhere in the secondary for Texas. His scheme versatility and physical gifts will allow him to fit at a few different positions in the secondary next fall.
Malik Muhammad, 4-Star CB (South Oak Cliff)
Another early signee for the Longhorns that will be in a spot to compete for immediate starting reps is the top-tier four-star South Oak Cliff cornerback Malik Muhammad. The south Dallas native will be someone to watch competing with freshman Terrance Brooks and Holmes for starting reps next season at the field corner position.
Texas did a nice job earlier this cycle staving off efforts from the likes of Texas A&M and the Alabama Crimson Tide to secure the commitment from Muhammad. He will now be a long-term contributor at corner for Terry Joseph and the Longhorns.
There is still a need for Texas to add at least one more defensive back in the 2023 class. We’re watching the decision from three-star DB Tyler Scott, which will be announced on Jan. 7. Scott is a lean to the Auburn Tigers, but he is still in play for Texas.
And we will likely see at least one more portal addition to the secondary by the start of spring ball.