While the vast majority of Texas Tech fans are hoping to see transfer forward Darrion Williams return to Lubbock for his senior season, we are likely weeks, if not months, away from knowing where the first-team All-Big 12 forward will call home in 2025-26. However, some college basketball sources are speculating that Williams might land at another Big 12 school if he doesn't head to the professional ranks.
According to Zeno Jo of The Sporting News, Williams is one of the top targets for the BYU Cougars, another Big 12 program that is spending huge money to put together its next basketball team. In fact, Jo goes so far as to predict that BYU is the most likely landing spot for Williams.
In the article, Jo quotes another piece by Billy Heyen who says, "Based on his first two college decisions, it seems likely Williams will stay out west."
Of course, Williams is from the Sacramento, California area. To begin his college career, he played one season at Nevada and then he has spent the last two seasons in Lubbock. Thus, one has to wonder if he has a desire to move closer to home.
If that's true, BYU could be a nice solution for him. What's more, the Cougars have tons of money to spend and a head coach with NBA experience, two factors that could be appealing to Williams.
According to journalist David Evans, "BYU makes sense for a few reasons. Kevin Young, a former NBA assistant, has shifted the program toward a more pro-style approach. That matters to a player like Williams, who’s already shown an advanced feel for the game."
Of course, this decision will likely come down to money. If Williams feels like he can make more with an NIL deal than he would be guaranteed in the NBA, then he would be wise to head back to the college ranks.
BYU has already proven that it is willing to spend big to put together a Big 12 contender next season. In addition to spending a reported $7 million to bring in 5-star true freshman A.J. Dybantsa, the Cougars have also given $3.5 million to transfer point guard Rob Wright III, who was an All-Big 12 freshman team performer for Baylor in 2024-25.
Of course, Texas Tech has not been stingy when it comes to handing out money this offseason. Tech has given reigning Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin $4 million to return and Washington State transfer LeJuan Watts $1.75 million to join the program. Thus, would the program's boosters be willing to break the bank to ensure Williams' return?
On the other hand, Watts is essentially the same player as Williams in terms of both size and skill. That's why many assume that his addition signaled that the program had moved on and would not wait for Williams.
However, there have been plenty of Texas Tech fans on social media hinting in the past few days that a Williams return was growing more likely. Whether those rumors have any validity is anyone's guess, but there have been enough of them to cause Red Raiders to at least dream of a Williams return.
It will be fascinating to see how this saga plays out. Whatever the outcome is, though, Texas Tech fans are hoping that Williams either returns to Lubbock or heads to the NBA. That's because the idea of having to face him as a member of the BYU program next season would be tough to swallow.