Texas Longhorns defensive end Reggie Wilson will have some big shoes to fill when he makes his first career start against Baylor on Saturday, but fellow Longhorns defensive end Alex Okafor is confident the junior is ready and able to do so.
Okafor told the Dallas Star-Telegram:
"Reggie has just been a player in waiting," said Okafor, who leads UT with six sacks. "Before this, he was one of the best backups in college football. It's his time now."
Wilson is being called upon to replace one of the Longhorn's best defensive players, junior Jackson Jeffcoat, who led the team with 11 tackles for a loss and is second in sacks with four. Jeffcoat is out for the year after rupturing a pectoral muscle in last week's 63-21 loss to Oklahoma.
Wilson, who has one sack and 11 total tackles in six games this season, has impressed the Longhorns staff with his pass rushing ability and speed. The 6-foot-3, 259 pounder was clocked at 4.8 in the 40 yard sprint in high school
Kickoff for Saturday's intra-state clash is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be televised on ABC, ESPN 3, Game Plan PPV and ESPN Mobile TV.