Texas safety Derek Williams will miss the first half of the Sugar Bowl against Washington as part of our 27 Days to the Sugar Bowl Countdown. A source close to the situation told Horns247.com that Texas’ appeal of Williams’ targeting ejection from the second half of the Big 12 title game was denied.
Texas’s Austin According to a source close to the situation, Horns247.com, Texas’ appeal of freshman safety Derek Williams’ second-half targeting ejection from the Big 12 title game was denied. As a result, Williams will be forced to miss the first half of the Longhorns’ Sugar Bowl matchup against Washington.
The source stated, “Yes, we did appeal it, but regrettably, it stands as called.” “[Against Washington], he [Williams] will have to sit the first half.”
Greg Burks, the director of officiating for the Big 12, verified to Horns247.com that Williams would have to sit out the team’s upcoming Sugar Bowl game in order to serve his suspension.
Williams’ targeting call makes things more difficult for Texas defensively going into the Sugar Bowl on January 1 at 7:45 p.m. CT, especially since Jalen Catalon has already accessed the transfer portal.
After missing four games due to injury and playing little when he returned, Catalon decided to sign with the portal as a graduate transfer, people familiar with the situation told Horns247.com.
After taking eight snaps in this season’s Game 6 against Oklahoma, Catalon was injured.
Catalon had played 117 snaps at safety prior to the OU game, which was fourth most behind Jerrin Thompson (172), Kitan Crawford (132), and Derek Williams (122).
Michael Taaffe took Catalon’s spot in the safety rotation after the player’s injury against Iowa State in Game 11; Catalon saw only six snaps in the game.
Jerrin Thompson has played the most snaps at safety (516) going into Texas’ College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington (13-0) in the Sugar Bowl. Taaffe (391), Williams (373), Kitan Crawford (292), and Catalon (142) are the next most snaps at safety.
In the Big 12 championship game, Catalon played just 11 snaps against Texas Tech and none against Oklahoma State.
Team sources claim that safeties coach Blake Gideon was hesitant to disturb the Thompson, Taaffe, Williams, and Crawford rotation that had grown during Catalon’s injury absence.
Pro Football Focus rates Thompson as the team’s best safety overall (75.4), ahead of Taaffe (64.4), Williams (68.2), Catalon (61.0), and Crawford (58.5). (An above-average PFF grade is defined as one that is 70.0 or higher.)
It goes without saying that Texas will rely on Thompson, Taaffe, and Crawford in the first half of the Sugar Bowl without Williams.
In terms of pass coverage, PFF ranks Thompson as Texas’ best safety (83.3), ahead of Taaffe (63.7), Williams (64.8), Catalon (60.7), and Crawford (57.0).
The Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who leads the country in passing yards (4,218), and receivers Rome Odunze (81 catches, 1,428 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Ja’Lynn Polk (60 catches, 1,000 yards, 8 touchdowns) lead Washington’s top-ranked passing offense in the country.
