Ty'Anthony Smith, LB
Texas's linebackers will be tested in a big way in this game by a quarterback who knows how to find open lanes and holes in opposing defenses in Klubnik from the Tigers.
An interesting matchup to watch in this Playoff game for the Longhorns' defense against the Clemson offense will be the UT linebackers against the Tiger backs. Standout rusher Phil Mafah has been Clemson's clear-cut best running back on offense this season.
Mafah leads Clemson with over 1,100 rushing yards and 5.2 yards per carry. He's fighting an upper-body injury that Swinney eluded to him not being "100 percent" for the Playoff game against the Longhorns.
Between the depth and playmakers Texas has at the linebacker position, I'd give the Longhorns the edge at this level of the defense against Clemson's offensive line and backs out of the backfield.
Led by sophomore Anthony Hill Jr. and senior David Gbenda, Texas's linebacker play could be crucial to limiting explosives and first-down run pickups from Klubnik and the Clemson offense. Texas's depth, with younger linebackers like sophomore Liona Lefau and true freshman Ty'Anthony Smith, means the Longhorns can have different personnel to match a Big 12-style Clemson offense in this game.
Smith has been a really positive emergence for Texas's two-deep among the younger first and second-year players on defense. He's been Texas's most productive freshman at linebacker or in the secondary this fall, registering 15 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception since Week 3 against UTSA.
This will not only be a big game for Smith to get valuable defensive postseason snaps under his belt for the Longhorns front, but also to deal with a versatile Clemson offense that is good with Klubnik's arm and legs and some potent underclassmen at receiver and tight end.