Texas Brings Youth Movement to Citrus Bowl Clash with Michigan
When Texas takes the field in Orlando for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, it won’t just be facing Michigan - it’ll be facing one of the toughest challenges of the Steve Sarkisian era: navigating a high-stakes bowl game with a roster that’s been stripped down to its foundation.
Eighteen Longhorns are out for this one, a mix of transfer portal departures and NFL Draft declarations that have left Texas leaning heavily on youth in nearly every phase of the game. And while bowl season always brings some level of roster turnover, this level of attrition is hard to ignore - and even harder to overcome.
Let’s break it down.
A Roster in Flux
The numbers are stark: 12 players have entered the transfer portal, and six more are headed to the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s not just a few missing pieces - that’s foundational talent missing across the board. And with incoming recruits not eligible to play, the Longhorns are turning to underclassmen and reserves to fill the void.
The most glaring issues? Running back and linebacker.
Texas’ run game never really found its rhythm in 2025, and now it’s in full reset mode. The top three backs - Quintrevion Wisner, CJ Baxter, and Jerrick Gibson - are all in the portal.
That leaves Christian Clark, James Simon, and Michael Terry to carry the load. None have been primary backs this season, and now they're stepping into the spotlight against one of the most physical defenses in college football.
At linebacker, the situation is just as precarious. Liona Lefau is transferring, while Anthony Hill Jr. and Trey Moore are off to the NFL. That leaves the second level in the hands of players like Tyanthony Smith and Bo Barnes - talented, but largely untested at this level of competition.
Secondary in Rebuild Mode
If you're wondering whether the attrition stops there - it doesn’t. The Texas secondary has taken a major hit, losing six players: Santana Wilson and Derek Williams Jr. via the portal, and Michael Taaffe, Malik Muhammad, Jaylon Guilbeau, and Ethan Burke to the draft.
That’s a significant chunk of experience and leadership gone. In their place?
A group of young, athletic defenders who are about to be thrown into the fire. Expect to see heavy snaps from Kobe Black, Kade Phillips, Xavier Filsaime, and Jelani McDonald - all promising, but all still finding their footing in high-leverage situations.
Offensive Depth Thinned
The offense hasn’t been spared either. Wide receivers DeAndre Moore and Aaron Butler have entered the portal, and offensive lineman Connor Stroh is gone as well. That stretches the depth around Arch Manning, who will be making one of the biggest starts of his young career.
It’s a tall task for Manning, who now has to lead a reshuffled offense without many of its top playmakers. He’ll be asked to do more with less - and to do it against a Michigan team that thrives on discipline, physicality, and forcing mistakes.
Even Special Teams Hit
Yes, even the kicking game has been affected. Will Stone won’t be available, adding one more layer of uncertainty to a team already dealing with plenty.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about who's missing - it’s about what that means on the field. Michigan is a team built to control the line of scrimmage, wear opponents down, and force them to play mistake-free football. That’s a tall order for any team, let alone one that’s relying on so many young players in key roles.
There’s no questioning the effort Texas will bring. The issue is experience - or the lack of it.
Reps matter, especially in bowl games where the margin for error is razor-thin. And for Sarkisian, this game is less about scheme and more about survival.
In the long run, this could be a valuable proving ground for the next generation of Longhorns. But in the short term, it’s a test of resilience, depth, and adaptability. Texas will need its young core to grow up fast - or risk getting overwhelmed by a Michigan team that’s coming in with its identity intact and its eyes on a statement win.