The Sun Devils already had their hands full in the Peach Bowl limiting a Texas offense that seemed to be littered with playmakers. Defensive coordinator Brian Ward’s job got a little tougher with Sunday night’s news.
Source: Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond will play for the Longhorns against Arizona State in Wednesday’s CFP quarterfinals. Bonds re-aggravated his ankle injury in the SEC title game and missed the game against Clemson. He is practicing and is planning to leave. pic.twitter.com/FphuZQNVDr
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 29, 2024
Isaiah Bond finished the season third on the Longhorns with 532 yards receiving and five scores on 33 catches. Bonds serves as the team’s top deep threat, leading Texas in both yards per reception (16.1) and average target depth (13.9). Both of these marks rank within the top 15 of all FBS receivers.
Bonds, who transferred to Texas this year after playing the past two seasons at Alabama, suffered an ankle injury in the final game of the regular season against Texas A&M and had zero receptions. The injury then re-aggravated in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, causing him to miss the first round of the College Football Playoff against Clemson.
Texas didn’t miss him in that game, but Bonds added an additional element to the Longhorns’ already elite passing game. The news that Bonds will play the full game will only make it more difficult for Arizona State, which will face the best offense it has seen so far this year.
Source: Texas RT Cameron Williams has been limited in practice and is likely to be a game-time decision in Wednesday’s game against Arizona State. It would not be surprising if he is absent as he has a right knee sprain and wants to play through the pain. pic.twitter.com/5MLKcuVG4G
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 29, 2024
Bonds will return for the Peach Bowl, but Texas may be without starting right tackle Cameron Williams. This would be important news, as the Sun Devil defense has grown in its ability to generate pressure without blitzing, and Williams is one of the best tackles in the nation.
Even if Williams doesn’t play, which sounds like a possibility, Arizona State will have its hands full Wednesday, especially with Bonds back.
