CHEEZ-IT CITRUS BOWL: MICHIGAN VS TEXAS

December 28, 2025

Johnny Nansen

Ty'Anthony Smith

Colin Simmons

Camping World Stadium

Texas Longhorns

Press Conference

JOHNNY NANSEN: Thank you for being here. It is an honor to be at this game. I know we are excited to play Michigan, and, obviously, the history of this game growing up, always watching, admiring this game from far, and now to be part of it is pretty cool.

We had a great week. I want to make sure I thank everybody. So far, the hospitality has been unbelievable. We are just looking forward to the game.

Q. Obviously you've been in this industry for a while. When you have a transition like P.K. being gone, what's the key to success when you guys are going through a transition like this?

JOHNNY NANSEN: I think keeping everything normal. We haven't changed, from planning and the way practice has been structured. I think guys have been used to hearing my voice in meetings. It has really been normal to us. They are used to change. We understand with guys opting out and now coaches and changes like this, we understand it is part of the business, and the players have been great handling. It has just been part of it.

Q. When you have guys move on from the program, what linebackers have stepped up, and what do you look for in a week like this?

JOHNNY NANSEN: When you look at my room, if you study us, we have four starters. Losing those guys really wasn't a big issue for us. I love those guys to death. Those are my guys. But the "next guy" mentality has been in our program for a very long time. Having this guy on my left stepping up and becoming the leader, and having some of the young guys, Bo Barnes stepped up, great opportunity to showcase what he is doing.

I am looking forward to it, but mainly it is the leadership we are looking for. These two have been unbelievable, to see their growth. I think we are going to showcase that this week, the leadership from these two.

Q. Who do you believe has brought the most spirit during team practicing this week?

JOHNNY NANSEN: You are looking at them. These two are unbelievable, man. They bring the juice, the energy that we need, the leadership that we need. Not only on the football field, but the meetings, trying to bring some of these young guys along. It has been awesome. It has been great. I am excited they are part of it.

Q. Colin, if you can speak to the mindset of this team, how long does it take to get over the disappointment of not being in the playoffs, and how meaningful is this game for Texas?

COLIN SIMMONS: Yeah, it is a little disappointing, but at the end of the day, we are here at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. We are here to have fun. We are here to take care of business. We are here to end the season off right.

Q. Ty, I wanted to ask you, what's this year been like for you and your development? I know with numbers at linebacker, we'll get to see more of Bo. What's he like in practice, and what does his game bring?

TY'ANTHONY SMITH: As far as development, I would say I am really appreciative of my coach just teaching me the ins and outs of football. With Bo, him taking in what Coach has been coaching him as well. He is a freshman learning the system. So just seeing him learn the system and grow, I think that has been pretty inspiring.

Q. Ty'Anthony, I'm sure you didn't expect to be the only one of the group with Tre, Anthony (indiscernible) here at the end of the year, but what did you learn from that group throughout the season, and how have they helped you become a leader in a fairly young room now that we are at the end of the season?

TY'ANTHONY SMITH: What I learned, it is just how to be confident in my approach, and that is through studying and consistently studying. I think that is what they taught not only me but the rest of the guys. I am just ready to see how we study and also just go out and play.

Q. How are you ready to take the next step as a leader and be the old guy in the room now and the veteran force?

TY'ANTHONY SMITH: I would say it is just exciting, having a coach that believe in you from the jump and taking on his leadership skills and bringing that out to the team. I think that is kind of what has prepared me for next year with this leadership role in the linebacker room.

Q. Can you talk about what you've seen from Brad Spence at linebacker? Is he a candidate to move there in 2026, and also, I guess, Jordon Johnson-Rubell?

JOHNNY NANSEN: He has done a great job. He is a fast learner. We are probably going to use him in both spots over at linebacker and outside and third down, things like that.

He has really grown. He is becoming a good leader for our room. He is in with me right now getting ready for the game.

But anyhow, I like what I see. Obviously, that is something we are going to have to talk about where his next role is going to be next year. But for now, we are counting on him to help us out and win this game, this week.

Q. Do you almost look at this as auditions for spring ball, and how much do you balance winning the game with developing players that will be crucial for y'all next year?

JOHNNY NANSEN: I think you have to trust your guys, and the guys we have. They have been around the system now for a couple of years. We are going in to end the season the right way, like Colin just alluded to earlier. Having the opportunity to win 10 games is a big thing for us. We haven't done it in a long time. Our mission is to win the game, and then we will worry about next year when we get there.

Q. For both Colin and Ty'Anthony, what was your reaction to losing P.K. as a coach, and what have been your impressions of Coach Muschamp?

TY'ANTHONY SMITH: I would say just being happy for Coach P.K. as well, what he done at the University of Texas, the schemes he put in. Obviously, I wasn't as happy when he left, but just being excited, understanding that the future for him, whatever it holds, he will go there and do great things.

COLIN SIMMONS: Yeah, that one -- that one hurt a little bit with P.K. being my coach coming in from high school, putting me in the right positions to go and make plays and stuff like that. Like Coach Nansen said, it's a business and things happen. All we have to do is just keep on building from that.