Two days until Texas Football: Johntay Cook II and Derek Williams Jr., two talented freshmen with opportunity
Inside Texas is putting a new twist on long-time photographer Will Gallagher’s time-honored countdown to Texas football kickoff. In addition to Will’s great pictures, the Inside Texas staff will go through every player on the roster by jersey number and offer a season outlook on each, from five-star to walk-on.
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We’ll also look back at other greats to wear that day’s number, with special reverence to some of Texas’ best.
Today is two days until kickoff. No. 2 for the Longhorns this season will be worn by a pair of true freshmen – wide receiver Johntay Cook II and defensive back Derek Williams Jr.
Johntay Cook season outlook
Cook picked the Longhorns over Texas A&M, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, and others thanks to what he saw from Xavier Worthy during his first year at Texas. Cook may draw comparisons to Worthy, and many are apt, but Cook may not have the same opportunity as Worthy during his freshman season.
That said, Cook will play whenever Worthy or Isaiah Neyor need a breather. Cook earned rave reviews throughout the course of camp, whether it was from former DeSoto teammate Byron Murphy or from others like Worthy himself.
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On many recent Texas teams, Cook is playing right away. However, the talent ahead of him may cost him opportunity to see a starter’s quantity of snaps this season. He should still be able to make the most of those snaps, many of them during times when the game is still in question.
Johntay Cook as a recruit
Derek Williams season outlook
Derek Williams is in a similar boat as Cook. On many recent Texas teams, Williams would be looked to for immediate assistance in the secondary. With transfer Jalen Catalon in the backfield, plus quality in the safety group from Michael Taaffe, Jerrin Thompson, and Kitan Crawford, Williams may not see the opportunity at Texas he would have if he were joining the 2021 Longhorns.
Williams will become an impact player in his career, and could begin showcasing his ability to affect opposing players on special teams. A physical safety who earned the nickname ”the Raptor” in high school, Williams will play this season and be in line to become a constant difference maker at safety in 2024.
Derek Williams as a recruit
Recent player to wear No. 2: Roschon Johnson
All-Americans to wear No. 2
Jerry Gray, DB, 1983 and 1984
Eric Metcalf, RB, 1987
Aaron Harris, LB, 2005
Sergio Kindle, LB, 2008 and 2009
