The Arc Manning Wave Effect is alive and well in Texas.
Derek Williams, ranked 76th in the 2023 ESPN 300, committed to the Longhorns on Monday night, the decision came after his official visit to Austin this weekend.
Williams, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety at Westgate High School in New Iberia, Louisiana, chose Texas over Alabama, Miami, Texas A&M, LSU, Clemson and Oklahoma.
“I think I’m a great player and I think the defense is right for me,” Williams told ESPN. “They’re going to use me nickel, safety. Play the corner. Blitz from the shore, blitz coming from the safety point.”
After Manning committed to Longhorn on Thursday, other recruits took immediate notice. Since Saturday, seven players have joined him in Texas ’2023 class, including ESPN 300 wide receivers Jonah Wilson (No. 278) and Williams.
“That kind of shocked me,” Williams said. “I knew (Manning) was going to be there, but I was just making sure. It affected my decision (to go to Texas).”
Williams said Texas recruited Tom Herman very early, even though he was the coach there. Williams said Steve Sarkisian is in the production process in Austin, so he’s looking forward to getting there.
“(Sarkisian) has done a very good job, recruiting people really hard,” he said. “(Texas) has been hiring me for two years. It made me think differently about them.”
Sarkisian said earlier Monday that he is pleased with the recent job increase in Austin and that there may be more to come.
“It was a very good run,” Sarkisian told ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “Hopefully it’s not over. I don’t think so. We may have more to go here this week. Hopefully we can maintain some momentum.”