Tag: Willie Tyler

Longhorns Profile Snapshot: No. 55 Willie Tyler

LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Texas roster. Today, we will be looking at RS Soph OL Willie Tyler.

Going into the 2020 football season, LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Texas roster.

Over the summer, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Tom Herman this season.

Today, we will be looking at redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Willie Tyler.

Willie Tyler, Offensive Line

Height: 6-7 / Weight: 335

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Hometown: Racine, Wisconsin

High School: Racine Lutheran

JUCO ranking (247Sports): Three-star / No. 143 overall / No. 21 position / No. 10 in-state

HS ranking (Rivals): Three-star

Analysis: Willie Tyler is a junior college transfer from Iowa Western Community College. Listed as an offensive tackle by 247sports, Tyler transferred to Texas over Louisiana Tech, Miami, SMU, and West Virginia.

In high school, Tyler spent most of his time playing defensive line and occasionally played offensive line. Once he got to Iowa Western, he transitioned to a full-time tackle, thanks to his 6-7 335 pound frame.

Tyler is the only person on the Texas roster from the state of Wisconsin. After redshirting his sophomore season, it is difficult to see the tackle getting playing time in 2020. Another project for offensive line coach Herb Hand, Tyler could see playing time as an upperclassman.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Countdown to Texas football: Best to wear No. 55

In returning to the countdown to kickoff series, Longhorns Wire remembers the best wear number 55 Connor Williams.

We are 55 days away from the scheduled kickoff of the 2020 college football season. Despite the Big Ten and PAC 12 announcing conference only schedules, the Big 12 remains with a full slate of games for most of their teams. The Longhorns still have South Florida, Louisiana State and Texas-El Paso on the schedule. In continuing the kickoff series, Longhorns Wire looks at the best to wear number 55. Currently Willie Tyler wears the number. He redshirted his sophomore year in 2019 after transferring from Iowa Western Community College.

Connor Williams, Offensive Tackle (2015-17)

JKevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Connor Williams played three season for the Texas Longhorns before entering into the 2018 NFL Draft and forfeiting his remaining eligibility. He played and started 28 games during that time. He would start every game at left tackle as a freshman. He would earn Freshman All-American honors from three publications for his play.

In his sophomore season, Williams would be even better. He would start 11 games at left tackle for Texas. He earned consensus first team All-American honors. He became only the fourth sophomore in Longhorns history to earn that honor. The others were Earl Thomas, Hub Bechtol and Russell Erxleben.

As a junior in 2017, Williams found himself on the Maxwell Trophy, Outland Trophy and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watchlists in the preseason. He would be listed on the pre-season All-American team as well as All-Big 12. He would only start five games that year due to injuries. He would declare for the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Dallas area native would get to stay home when the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the second round. In two years for the Cowboys, Williams played in 24 games, starting 21. He would be named starter at left guard his rookie year. In his second season, Connor would start 11 games and missed time due to arthroscopic knee surgery. Upon his return he would tear his ACL and be placed on the injured reserve.

Heading into 2020, Williams will once again have to battle for a starting spot with another Connor coming off injury. Williams and McGovern are both vying for starting roles at either center or left guard.

Accomplishments:

  • 2015 Freshman All-American
  • 2016 Consensus All-American
  • 2016 First-team All-Big 12
  • 2018 NFL Draft second round selection
  • 2017 Outland Trophy Semifinalist