Texas Longhorns safety Derek Williams Jr. has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal ahead of the 2026 college football season, with the Louisiana native confirming his decision to Hayes Fawcett of On3. This marks the end of Derek’s tenure with the Longhorns, accumulating 76 tackles during his time in Austin.
Williams arrived at Texas as one of the most talked-about defensive backs in the 2023 recruiting class. His freshman campaign saw him rack up 42 tackles and 2.0 tackles, whilst also contributing 23 tackles in his 2025 campaign.
The former No. 62 national prospect, after finishing his 2025 regular season with a 9-3 record, is now on the lookout for his next destination, trying to make full use of his 2-year eligibility. Let’s take a look at three such potential programs Derek Williams Jr. could be a part of next season.
Top 3 Potential Landing Spots For Derek Williams Jr.
1. LSU Tigers
Derek’s move to LSU makes a lot of sense given his Louisiana roots and the Tigers’ constant need for quality safety ahead of the next season.
Also, new head Lane Kiffin has been actively trying to build a roster at Louisiana, so much so that he has been inviting players to his program and being vocal about his recruiting needs on social media.
A former top 60 national recruit with multiple years of experience could just be what Kiffin’s looking for at LSU.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama originally recruited Williams out of high school, and while that didn’t materialize into something the Alabama-based side would’ve hoped for initially, they now have a chance to get Williams for next season.
With 70+ career tackles and a plethora of experience, Derek could walk into any major program, and it won’t come as a surprise if Kalen DeBoer tries to poach him for the 2026 CFB season.
3. Colorado Buffaloes
After an abysmal 3-9 record this season, the Colorado Buffaloes finished overall 15th this season, with Deion Sanders’ side performing well below par of what was expected of them this season.
One of their biggest concerns was their overall defense ranking 122nd in FBS, as far as total defense is concerned, allowing their opposition 6.14 yards per play and 425.7 yards per game, respectively.
A solid safety of the caliber of Derek Williams Jr. could solve a lot of the Buffaloes’ issues, and it won’t come as a surprise if Deion Sanders bats hard to recruit him for the Buffaloes’ next campaign.
Also Read:
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- Sherrone Moore Replacement: Top 3 Candidates To Take Over Michigan Head Coaching Job Ft. Chip Kelly
- 2025 Heisman Trophy Finalists Statistical Comparison: H2H Comparison of Fernando Mendoza, Julian Sayin, Jeremiyah Love, and Diego Pavia
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