Report: Texas DB Ryan Watts doubtful to play against Oklahoma in Red River Shootout
It seems likely that Texas will be without an important piece of its secondary on Saturday against Oklahoma. Texas DB Ryan Watts is doubtful for the game, according to ESPN insider Pete Thamel.
Watts is currently tied for fourth on the Texas team in tackles with 17. He has one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. The senior has started all five games at cornerback this season.
Ryan Watts did not practice this week after getting injured last Saturday against Kansas, according to Thamel. With Watts likely out, Thamel reports that true freshman Malik Muhammad and Wake Forest transfer Gavin Holmes are expected to get more snaps in the Red River Showdown.
Watts started his college career at Ohio State, before transferring to Texas ahead of the 2022 season. He appeared in 19 games over two seasons with the Buckeyes and tied for the team lead with two interceptions in 2021.
In his first season with Texas in 2022, Watts started all 13 games and recorded 51 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and three pass breakups. He was named honorable mention All-Big 12 by the coaches following last year.
Desmond Howard makes the case for Texas as college football’s top team
Even if Ryan Watts is unable to suit up in the Red River Showdown, Texas will still have plenty of talent on the field.
The Longhorns have been as impressive as any team in the country so far this year. ESPN College GameDay analyst Desmond Howard made the case for Texas being college football’s top team during his appearance on First Take on Friday.
“What really jumped out to me was their defense. No one expected their defense to be as great as they are right now. Defensive front is very fast and athletic. But then Jaylan Ford, linebacker, 32 tackles, 16 solo tackles. I just love the way their defense has come together in 2023,” Howard said.
The quarterback situation, with former No. 1 prospect Quinn Ewers coming into his own, also earned high praise from Howard.
He thinks Ewers is playing as well as any quarterback in the country.
And he also thinks Texas has the best win at the moment, beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa in Week 2.
“Well Texas is, so far, they have the best win. Going down to Tuscaloosa and I’m talking about soundly beating Alabama the way they did. It’s not like you walked away from that game talking about ‘Ah, well, if Alabama would’ve did this,’ like no, no, no, no. There’s nothing they could’ve done that day because Texas was the better team. So they’ve got the best win. Quinn Ewers is playing better than or just as well as any quarterback in the nation,” Howard said.