Lead Story: Williams' Return Gives Texas Defense Its Playmaker Back
The Texas Longhorns got the answer they were waiting for Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Sophomore safety Jonah Williams, working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, delivered an open-field tackle on redshirt junior running back Hollywood Smothers within the scrimmage's first three plays — no small feat against a back who forced 49 missed tackles last season and gained 614 of his 939 rushing yards after contact. One scrimmage observer called Williams the defensive MVP of the day.
The surgery, which ended Williams' sophomore baseball season after just eight games, was a calculated decision by Williams, his family and the Texas staff. The spring timing allowed rehab to run its course, with strength and conditioning work ramping up through June and July so Williams could be fully cleared for training camp. Texas' head coach acknowledged Monday that some early hesitation in camp was natural — and even healthy — before Saturday showed "a guy who was willing to get people on the ground and to tackle."
Williams punctuated the scrimmage's opening drive with an end-zone interception that showcased the range and ball skills that made the Galveston Ball product the No. 1 safety and No. 10 overall prospect in the 2025 class, per the 247Sports Composite. An outfielder on the baseball diamond, Williams tracks the deep ball like one, and he projects as one of the Longhorns' top three safeties this fall under a new defensive coordinator.
Quick Hits
Kentucky basketball goes digital-first this summer. With no international trip on the schedule, the Kentucky Wildcats' head coach has leaned into social media — Q&As, ticket giveaways and workout footage — to keep Big Blue Nation engaged. The centerpiece: the first-ever Media Madness on September 17, where media members will run drills, play 3-on-3 and 5-on-5, and face a role-reversal press conference after a Wildcats practice.
Former LSU standout Ida Hermannsdottir signs with Hammarby. The Reykjavik native inked a deal through 2030 with the Swedish club, per an official press release, after scoring 13 goals in 15 rounds for FH in Iceland's top flight. Hermannsdottir finished her LSU career in 2025 with 29 goals — fifth in program history — and helped the Tigers reach their first NCAA Sweet 16.
No surprises in the AP Preseason Top 25. ESPN's Bill Connelly joined The Paul Finebaum Show to break down the newly released poll, saying the selections largely tracked with expectations.
Oklahoma's Ryder Cowan earns Team USA honors. The Sooners golfer was selected to the United States team for the Walker Cup, per Oklahoma's athletics site.
Draft eyes on SEC tackles. CBS Sports' 2027 NFL Draft scouting series ranks Texas' Trevor Goosby as the clear OT1 in the offensive tackle class, with Jordan Seaton, Lance Heard and several high-upside athletes positioned to push for Round 1 consideration.
Portal Watch
A quiet 12 hours on the transfer front — no new portal activity to report. With fall camps in full swing across the conference, roster movement has largely settled until the season shakes things loose.
Recruiting Buzz
The Tennessee Volunteers landed the day's biggest recruiting win, securing a commitment from 2028 four-star quarterback Kaden Craft of Mooresville, North Carolina. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound dual-threat from Lake Norman High School chose the Volunteers over Oregon, LSU, Michigan, Florida and Ole Miss, and he arrives with real pedigree: ESPN rates him the No. 3 dual-threat passer in the 2028 cycle, while 247Sports slots him at No. 131 nationally and No. 5 in North Carolina.
Craft has made 20 career starts entering his junior season, throwing for 1,739 yards, 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions while leading Lake Norman to an 8-4 record and a third-round playoff run as a sophomore. He's reportedly been clocked at 4.51 in the 40-yard dash and also competes in wrestling and track and field. Craft is Tennessee's first commitment of the 2028 cycle, extending a quarterback pipeline that already includes George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon, plus 2027 three-star Derrick Baker. "I honestly believe Tennessee's coaching staff is one of the best in the country," Craft said, per Rivals.
Games to Watch
No games on the SEC slate today. With the college football season fast approaching and the AP Preseason Top 25 now out, scrimmage reports and camp battles — like the quarterback competition in Knoxville between MacIntyre and Brandon — are the storylines to track this week.
