In today’s college football landscape, bowl season has taken on a new shape. With the College Football Playoff serving as the ultimate prize, it’s become common for NFL-bound players from non-playoff teams to opt out of postseason games.
While that trend can be frustrating for fans hoping to see their favorite stars one last time, it also creates a unique opportunity: a proving ground for the next wave of talent. That’s exactly the case for Texas as they gear up for the Citrus Bowl clash against Michigan.
The Longhorns have seen 28 players drafted over the last three NFL drafts, and several more are expected to join that group this spring. But with key opt-outs across the roster, head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff will get a long look at some fresh faces - and two of them, in particular, are poised to make a serious impression on Wednesday.
Michael Terry III: A New Chapter in the Backfield
If there’s one position group that’s been through the wringer this season for Texas, it’s running back. Between mid-season departures and December transfer portal exits, the Longhorns are down to just three available backs for the Citrus Bowl: redshirt freshman Christian Clark and true freshmen James Simon and Michael Terry III.
Clark and Simon have already logged game reps, but for Terry, this will be his first live action at running back - and it’s coming on a big stage.
Terry’s path to this moment has been anything but conventional. A consensus four-star recruit in the 2025 class out of Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Terry was the definition of versatility in high school, lining up at wide receiver, running back, and even tight end. He initially began his Texas career as a wideout, but made the switch to running back in October following the departure of Jerrick Gibson.
Now, with the depth chart thinned and a full offseason looming, Terry has a golden opportunity to show he belongs in the Longhorns’ offensive plans moving forward. Sarkisian and newly appointed running backs coach Jabbar Juluke will be watching closely to see how Terry handles the moment - not just as a fill-in, but potentially as a foundational piece for 2026 and beyond.
Lance Jackson: The Future Is Now on the Edge
On the defensive side, Texas is also turning to youth - and in Lance Jackson’s case, it’s a glimpse into what could be a dominant future.
With senior edge rusher Ethan Burke opting out of the Citrus Bowl, the Longhorns have a vacancy opposite All-American Colin Simmons. Enter Jackson, a true freshman who’s already made a name for himself in limited action.
The five-star product from Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas, didn’t just flash potential this season - he earned a spot on the All-SEC Freshman Team after appearing in all 12 regular-season games. Jackson tallied 15 tackles and two sacks, but his breakout moment came in the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma. In just 11 snaps, Jackson racked up four pressures, two quarterback hits, and half a sack - earning an eye-popping 87.0 grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest of any true freshman EDGE rusher in the country that week.
Sarkisian has already pointed to Jackson as a perfect fit for new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s system. With that kind of endorsement, and a clear runway to more snaps, the Citrus Bowl could be Jackson’s coming-out party - a chance to show that Texas’ pass rush will remain in good hands even as veterans move on.
No. 13 Texas (9-3) takes on No.
18 Michigan (9-3) in the 80th edition of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl this Wednesday, December 31. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM CT) on ABC.
While some of the familiar names may be missing, don’t mistake this for a throwaway game. For players like Michael Terry III and Lance Jackson, it’s not just a bowl game - it’s the beginning of something bigger.