The Texas Longhorns received a much-needed boost ahead of their College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against the Arizona State Sun Devils, as star wide receiver Isaiah Bond has been cleared to return from an ankle injury that sidelined him for the opening round. Bond, a dynamic playmaker who ranks third on the team with 33 catches for 532 yards and five touchdowns, is expected to be a full go for Wednesday’s clash in Tempe.
The news comes as a relief for the Longhorns, who narrowly edged out Clemson in their first-round game without Bond’s explosive presence in the passing attack. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed optimism about Bond’s recovery during the week, noting that the speedy wideout had been “moving around well” in practice and was on track to suit up barring any setbacks.
Bond’s Return Provides a Spark
Getting Bond back in the fold should provide quarterback Quinn Ewers with a reliable deep threat to stretch the Arizona State defense. The Sun Devils boast a stingy secondary led by All-American safety Kamani Thompson, but Bond’s elite speed and crafty route-running have given even the best defensive backs fits this season.
“Having Isaiah out there just opens up so much for our offense,”
Ewers said earlier in the week. “He’s a guy that can take the top off a defense on any play, so having to account for that makes everything easier for the rest of us.”
In Bond’s absence against Clemson, reserves Casey Cain and Jordan Whittington stepped up with key receptions to move the chains. However, neither brings the same home run-hitting element as the lightning-quick Bond, whose 16.1 yards per catch illustrate his game-breaking ability.
Offensive Line Concerns Linger with Williams Questionable
While Bond’s return is undoubtedly a positive development, questions remain about the status of starting right tackle Cameron Williams, who is dealing with a knee sprain suffered in the SEC Championship Game. Williams, a projected first-round NFL Draft pick, has been limited in practice leading up to the Arizona State tilt.
If Williams is unable to give it a go, versatile backup Trevor Goosby would likely draw the start on the edge. Goosby filled in admirably when Williams exited against Georgia, but there’s no question that the Longhorns’ high-powered attack is at its best with the 6-foot-6, 325-pound Williams manning the right tackle spot.
- Williams’ recovery timeline remains fluid, but the team is hopeful he can tough it out and provide stability up front against the Sun Devils’ fearsome pass rush duo of Joe Moore and Jeremiah Bello.
- If Texas advances, Williams would have additional time to heal up before a potential semifinal clash in the Cotton Bowl.
The Road Ahead
For the Longhorns, the focus remains squarely on the task at hand in the desert. As 12-point favorites over an upstart Arizona State squad, Texas understands it can ill afford an early exit from the playoff if it hopes to capture the program’s first national title since the Vince Young glory days.
Getting Bond back in the lineup certainly helps the cause, giving Ewers a full complement of weapons to attack the Sun Devils’ stingy defense. The Longhorns are no strangers to high-pressure situations, having navigated a gauntlet of a schedule in the unforgiving SEC.
“We’ve been in a bunch of dogfights and had our backs against the wall plenty of times this year, so this is nothing new for us,”
Sarkisian said of his battle-tested group. “Our guys have answered the bell all season long, and I don’t expect anything different under the bright lights.”
Resilience has been a hallmark of this Texas team, and they’ll need to summon that resolve once more against an Arizona State club that’s proven it belongs on this stage. With Bond back in tow and a chance to inch closer to the sport’s ultimate prize, the Longhorns are ready for their moment in the Valley of the Sun.
