Texas Football: 3 underrated UT players who could get more snaps in CFP

Trill Carter, DL

The strength of the Texas defense is the defensive line. Led by the Outland Trophy winner and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, redshirt senior defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat, the Longhorns' front is very likely the best group Washington has faced in the trenches this season. Texas also boasts the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, junior defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.

It's hard to argue with the impact that Murphy and Sweat could have on this game for the Longhorns up front. They have wrecked shop all season at the line of scrimmage, ranking as the two highest-graded defensive tackles in the Power Five.

But Texas can also rely on its depth along the interior defensive line to keep guys fresh up front and consistently set the tone in the trenches. Texas has multiple other impact interior defensive linemen who could have a big impact on this game, including senior Alfred Collins, senior Trill Carter, and junior Vernon Broughton.

Collins and Broughton have been maintsays this season as they've developed in this program under DL coach Bo Davis in the last few years. Carter, meanwhile, has made a bigger impact as the season has progressed. He was brought to Texas via the transfer portal from Minnesota last spring.

Carter gives Texas a big and more experienced presence along the interior defensive line who can rotate in to keep Sweat and Murphy fresh. He's played a bigger role in games along the defensive front down the stretch. Carter took over 20 defensive snaps in each of the last four games for the Longhorns, including the Big 12 title game against Oklahoma State.

Texas will want to stay fresh up front against a Washington offense that can stretch the field and play fast. Rotating in key defensive linemen such as Collins and Carter will be an obvious key for the Texas defense in the Sugar Bowl.

And it only makes sense that the trend would continue in the CFP for the Longhorns to keep giving Carter more snaps as he's become more comfortable in the rotation along the defensive line.