🏈 Cornerback Jantzen Waller’s Frustrating Injury Saga
Cornerback Jantzen Waller’s season has been defined by frustration after a promising start. Waller, a former Michigan transfer, was expected to anchor the Wildcat secondary, which Head Coach Mark Stoops had labeled a preseason strength. However, he suffered a debilitating hamstring injury just one game into the season and has not played since. The expectation for his return has been repeatedly pushed back.
Setbacks and Side Benefits
The extent of Waller’s struggles was highlighted by his near-return attempts. He was set to start against Texas on October 18th and was even announced on the video board, only to suffer a setback during early warmups and not dress for the game. After missing subsequent games against Tennessee and Auburn, he went through warmups before the November 8th game against Florida. Stoops revealed the staff chose to hold him out because they hadn’t seen him run at full game speed. Crucially, because he has played only one game, this prolonged absence now offers a side benefit: Waller can participate in the final three games of the season and still preserve a redshirt year.
The Ripple Effect: Nichols and Addison Down
Waller is not the only cornerback facing time off. His initial replacement, sophomore Terhyon Nichols, has been absent for the past three games due to an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, junior Nasir Addison, who battled a shoulder issue early in the season, is now dealing with a different injury. Addison started against Auburn and Florida but was held out of the Tennessee Tech game.
The Redshirt Quandary for Nasir Addison
Addison’s situation presents a dilemma for the coaching staff regarding his eligibility. He has already appeared in four games this season, meaning he cannot play again in the regular season and still qualify for a redshirt. Stoops acknowledged the situation after the Tennessee Tech game, saying, “We are going to see where we are at with Nasir, and if we can protect his redshirt, we will. But he was hurt this week.” The decision to hold Addison out becomes more challenging given the uncertainty surrounding the returns of both Waller and Nichols for the upcoming matchups against Vanderbilt and Louisville.
Long-Term Outlook for the Defense
While Stoops has explicitly ruled out outside linebacker Sam Greene and safety Jordan Lovett for the season, he has not indicated that Nichols is done for the year. The team’s ability to navigate the late-season schedule hinges heavily on the health and availability of these key defensive backs, as the coaching staff must weigh immediate needs against long-term roster development.