CHEEZ-IT CITRUS BOWL: MICHIGAN VS TEXAS

December 31, 2025

Christian Clark

Colin Simmons

Kaliq Lockett

Camping World Stadium

Texas Longhorns

Press Conference

Texas Longhorns 41, Michigan Wolverines 27

Q. You've had to wait your turn. How awesome was it to show what you could do on a big stage to finish the season like this?

CHRISTIAN CLARK: It was amazing. I knew I had to wait a turn, but it is all part of my process, coming back from an Achilles injury my freshman year. I knew it was going to take time. I just had to be patient and keep my head down. I knew eventually I was going to have my opportunity.

COLIN SIMMONS: He had a hell of a game. I am going to give him his props.

CHRISTIAN CLARK: It is just next man up. I have to thank God. Without Him, none of this is possible.

Q. Coach Sark comes in, what have you gotten to know about him so far, and what's he been like on this trip out here?

CHRISTIAN CLARK: He has been very energetic. He is just like one of us. Coach Juluke, I don't know how old he is, but he acts like us. It is real easy to relate to him. We all like him in the linebacker room.

COLIN SIMMONS: I like him. First day, he came up to me talking. I love that from all the coaches.

CHRISTIAN CLARK: It was an easy transition for all of us and he pushes me.

Q. Colin, Coach was saying that he felt your season took off after the Florida game. Wondering if you believe the same thing, and what's next for you? Do you agree with that statement, and what's next for you?

COLIN SIMMONS: Of course. Yeah, the season definitely took off after that Florida game. Was that the game right after -- what was that, San Jose State? Yeah, my season took off right after that game. He is right.

Q. Christian, you talked about your journey and having to wait. What's the biggest thing that you took from veterans that prepared you for a night like tonight?

CHRISTIAN CLARK: They preached to me every single day, practice, prepare like you are going to be the starter, and they told me my opportunity was going to come. They didn't know when, but as you can see it came today. So, took full advantage of that.

Really just watching them practice every single day. I was able to learn a lot from them and I was able to pick their brains every single day, because I am trying to -- they have already established themselves from past years, so I am trying to get to where they are.

Q. Kaliq, walk me through the touchdown. You went crazy on your reaction. Take us through what happened there.

KALIQ LOCKETT: Well, to be honest, I really don't remember too much of the play. I just remember the ball in the air, and I saw that same spin that Arch had thrown me fall camp. I remember -- I remember that same ball. There was no way I was letting that opportunity slip because --

COLIN SIMMONS: Had to go get it, man.

KALIQ LOCKETT: Had to go get it.

COLIN SIMMONS: Definitely, took advantage of the opportunity that was presented to him. He came right off sideline. I literally was right off the sideline. Said coach I am here, I am here, went over, got in his spot. Arch threw that ball up -- go --

KALIQ LOCKETT: Hey, ball. Just like that.

Q. What kind of message did y'all send? We heard some of y'all say that you wanted to send a message to the College Football Playoff committee, that kind of thing. What kind of message did y'all send tonight?

COLIN SIMMONS: I know we said we definitely wanted to send a message to the college committee, but, honestly, truthfully, what we just played out there was having fun as a team. Young guys coming in, stepping up.

I want to shout-out to Bo Barnes, went out there, wasn't nervous and did his job. He did what he was supposed to do. Kaliq Lockett, for example, went out there, did his job, did what he was supposed to do.

These were people that were barely playing the whole season. For them to come in and do what they supposed to do and take care of there business. Not be nervous and not let the moment be too big and take advantage of opportunity. Man, we had fun today as a team.

CHRISTIAN CLARK: I think the message is we are deep, talented as a group, very deep, a lot of people left our program, but we know how to overcome adversity as a whole, as a team. That is what Coach Sark always preaches, overcoming adversity. I feel like we displayed it today. Everybody was ready for their moment. It was just next man up mindset for everybody.

Q. This is the second straight game that Arch has close the show with a long touchdown run. What message does that send to the rest of college football in 2026?

COLIN SIMMONS: Just watch out for Archie boy, watch out for him. Isn't no pressure on him. He is who he is. He is who essay he is. So...

Q. Arch was talking about the growth of the receiver core and him. What do you think throughout the year helped you get closer to Arch and how can you take that into next season?

KALIQ LOCKETT: Repeat that again?

Q. What do you think helped you and the other wide receivers get closer to Arch this season, and how can you take that into next season?

KALIQ LOCKETT: I think the team bonding and Arch's willingness to talk to us and criticize us. We are able to criticize Arch, too. Emmett, Parker, Wingo, DeAndre Moore, Daylan McCutcheon, they all have a say-so in what --

COLIN SIMMONS: You are good. Speak to them. Speak to them. First interview, you all.

KALIQ LOCKETT: You all see how I get.

CHRISTIAN CLARK: You good, boy. You good.

COLIN SIMMONS: I think basically what he is saying is the bond that they built in the off-season. Definitely brought them closer like he said. They can get on Arch, and Arch can get on them. That is just love. That is brotherhood. That is being a teammate. That is being a good player and a good person. Not allowing the person be average, but having great standards for that person.

CHRISTIAN CLARK: We want everybody to eat. That is it. We just want everybody to eat.

Q. Ty'Anthony was just mentioning how at halftime you got everybody together and spoke to the team about, hey, let's finish this. Just right now, witnessing you and your leadership on the podium, where have you felt like your leadership has grown over this season, and why do you feel the need, even tonight, to step up and talk?

COLIN SIMMONS: It is honestly just me maturing as a person. Me growing up, understanding understanding where I am on the depth chart and where I am in this school and on this team.

A lot of people look up to me. My teammates look up to me. The fans, UT fans support, family. That is just growth. It is just growth.

Q. Building on what you guys were just talking about, when you gathered everyone together, when in the game was that and what was your message?

COLIN SIMMONS: As a defense, we have come together a couple times, and the message was to finish. Go out there and have fun and finish, man. Wrap up, tackle, make the plays that come to you and take advantage of that opportunity. I feel like we did a great job at that tonight. Of course, we had some things to clean up about you that is what comes with being young. That is what comes with having a young team. I just feel like the future of this team is in great hands.

Q. How much talking was going on out there?

COLIN SIMMONS: A lot of talking. A lot of talking. But it was fun. It was fun. Fun.

Q. At the beginning of the year, you were one of the stat leaders for most penalties in a game -- don't laugh at him, it's okay. Around that time, Coach was telling us, I don't think that's the statistic he thought he would be leading in. As of tonight, you're the SEC's leader in sacks. How do you feel about that, and did you find out that during the game or when did you find that out?

COLIN SIMMONS: I wasn't really chasing stats in this game, like I was at the beginning of the season, which was causing penalties. I was going to go chase plays instead of letting the play come to me and letting the game come to me. I felt like I did a great job doing that for the second part of the season -- Florida game and on, letting the game come to me. Being myself, because everybody knows my potential. Everybody in this room knows my potential. My teammates know my potential.

CHRISTIAN CLARK: Oh, we know.

COLIN SIMMONS: My coaches know my potential. The ceiling is high around here, and that goes for everybody around me.