Texas Football: S Derek Williams’ football ‘IQ is amazing’, says teammate

Big 12 Media Days allowed us to get a feel for where Texas football players and head coach Steve Sarkisian are confidence-wise heading into the fall. Sark took the main stage at Big 12 Media Days on July 12, while the five player representatives also got to speak to the media on the first day of the festivities in Arlington, TX.

Two of the five players representing the Longhorns at Big 12 Media Days this week are defensive leaders. Senior linebacker Jaylan Ford and senior defensive back Jahdae Barron were first-time representatives for the Longhorns at Big 12 Media Days this year.

Barron spoke on various topics, including the progress he’s seen from the other defensive backs on campus this summer. One specific defensive back he discussed with the media this week was the former elite five-star recruit out of New Iberia (LA) Westgate High School, true freshman safety Derek Williams.

Texas football S Derek Williams receives praise at Big 12 Media Days from DB teammate Jahdae Barron

According to Barron, Williams has impressed in various ways since he arrived on campus for the summer semester. He told CJ Vogel of TFB Texas (donor content) that Williams is “smart” and that his football “IQ is amazing”.

Barron also said that Williams’ “awareness” on the field reminds him of senior Texas transfer safety Jalen Catalon. Considering the playmaking ability and intelligence Catalon displays on the field at the safety position, those are some high marks for Williams.

And it sounds like Barron wasn’t the only one who pointed out the instincts and gifted athletic traits Williams brings. We’ve mentioned on the site multiple times this summer how Williams has impressed his teammates and the coaching staff right away during the strength and conditioning program.

Williams caught the attention of the coaching staff right away this summer. He’s looked the part of a freshman capable of making an early impact on the field this fall.

The two highest-rated defensive back signees in the Longhorns 2023 class, Williams and former high-four-star South Oak Cliff cornerback recruit Malik Muhammad, have received rave reviews this offseason. Texas has a duo of future studs that have brought a lot of excitement for the future of the defensive backfield ahead of the move to the SEC next year.