Injured Williams ‘close’ to return
Texas may plug a big hole in its offensive line soon.
All-American left tackle Connor Williams “is close” to returning, Texas coach Tom Herman said Monday. The junior lineman hasn’t played since he sustained a knee injury at USC on Sept. 16.
Herman said the prospects of Williams returning for next week’s home game against Kansas are “optimistic, and the following week might be a little bit more realistic.” Texas travels Nov. 18 to West Virginia, closing out the regular season Nov. 24 against Texas Tech.
Herman said Williams took part in on-field drills in cleats Monday morning. Those drills consisted of him “changing direction, cutting, planting.”
“We’ll see where he’s at with a full week of doing those drills,” Herman said.
The 6-6, 315-pound Williams earned All-American accolades as a sophomore. He has been projected by some as a firstround draft pick. But his return would bring stability to a line that has started three different combinations in the five games since his injury. Senior Tristan Nickelson and sophomore Denzel Okafor have filled in for Williams.
At 31.3 points per game, Texas ranks 46th nationally in scoring.
Other injuries: Williams is joined on this week’s injury report by fellow captain P.J. Locke III, a junior nickel back who suffered a sprained ankle in a 38-7 win over Baylor this past weekend; Herman said it was “very doubtful” he’d play against TCU on Saturday. Locke is backed up by senior Antwuan Davis.
Freshman running back Toneil Carter is still in concussion protocol. He ran for a game-high 70 yards against Baylor.
Jefferson a Butkus semifinalist: Enjoying the best season of his collegiate career, Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson was named a Butkus Award semifinalist Monday.
Jefferson was one of 15 players named by the Butkus Foundation under consideration. The award is presented annually to the best linebacker in college football.
Jefferson has 76 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, both team highs. He also has four sacks, which also leads the Longhorns. Jefferson leads the fourth-best defensive unit in the Big 12. Texas (4-4, 3-2 Big 12) is allowing 370.8 yards per game this season, which is a major improvement from previous years.
The Mesquite Poteet product isn’t the only Longhorn on national award watch. Safety DeShon Elliott was named a Thorpe Award semifinalist last week. He leads the nation with six interceptions. The Thorpe Award is presented annually to the best defensive back.
The other Butkus semifinalists are Kentucky’s Josh Allen, Ohio State’s Jerome Baker, Michigan’s Devin Bush, Georgia’s Lorenzo Carter, Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds, Alabama’s Rashaan Evans, Alabama’s Shaun Dion Hamilton, Iowa’s Josey Jewell, Virginia’s Micah Kiser, Clemson’s Dorian O’Daniel, Oklahoma’s Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Georgia’s Roquan Smith and USC’s Cameron Smith.