Texas OL Willie Tyler opts out of 2020 season

Texas Longhorns redshirt sophomore Willie Tyler announced via Twitter on Wednesday that he will sit out the 2020 season.

Tyler joins senior running back Daniel Young and senior defensive end Marqez Bimage as Texas players sitting out this season due to concerns about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

A 6’7, 335-pounder, Tyler was expected to compete for a back-up role on the interior of the Longhorns offensive line with players like redshirt senior Tope Imade and redshirt freshman Tyler Johnson.

A late addition to the 2019 recruiting class out of Iowa Western, Tyler signed as a developmental prospect — he’d only spent one full season playing offensive line after a year away from football. In high school in Wisconsin, Tyler played on the offensive line only sparingly, spending most of his time on the defensive side of the ball.

With the three players opting out, Texas will have 80 scholarship players available for the 2020 season, including five former walk ons.