Former Jasper Bulldog Ty’Anthony Smith delivers breakout performance in Texas’ Citrus Bowl win

Former Jasper Bulldog Ty'Anthony Smith. (Texas Football)

On New Year’s Eve, a former Jasper High School Bulldog delivered on one of college football’s biggest postseason stages.

Ty’Anthony Smith, a sophomore linebacker for the Texas Longhorns, turned in the best performance of his young college career during Texas’ 41–27 Citrus Bowl victory over the Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday at Camping World Stadium.

Smith recorded two interceptions — his first picks of the entire 2025 season — both coming in critical moments late in the game and helping fuel a fourth-quarter comeback that sent Texas home with a statement win in the Citrus Bowl.

From Jasper to the national spotlight

Smith, a Jasper native and Jasper High School graduate (Class of 2024), wears No. 26 for Texas and is listed at 6-foot-1, 216 pounds. He is majoring in Communication & Leadership and is currently in his sophomore season with the Longhorns.

Before Austin, Smith was a standout Bulldog, earning three consecutive all-district selections and being named District 9-4A Division II Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. That same season, he helped lead Jasper to the Texas 4A Division II state quarterfinals with a 9–5 record.

A versatile two-way threat, Smith didn’t just dominate on defense. As a senior, he also served as Jasper’s Wildcat quarterback, showcasing his football IQ and athletic versatility. Over three varsity seasons, he totaled 326 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, nine sacks, nine passes defended, six forced fumbles, and four interceptions. He also competed in basketball, cementing his reputation as a multi-sport athlete.

Smith committed to Texas on December 20, 2023, enrolling for the 2024 season and steadily working his way into the Longhorns’ defensive rotation.

Quiet season, loud finish

During the 2025 regular season, Smith appeared in 10 games, compiling 50 total tackles (31 solo), two sacks, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one pass defended. Despite his consistency, interceptions had eluded him — until the Citrus Bowl.

Texas entered the fourth quarter trailing Michigan 27–24. That’s when Smith flipped the script.

The Longhorns went on to score 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, sealing the 41–27 victory.

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood finished the game with three interceptions, with Smith accounting for two of the most critical late-game picks. Smith’s first interception came with Texas trailing 27–24 early in the fourth quarter, stopping a Michigan drive just before the Longhorns took the lead. He followed it up with another interception on Michigan’s next possession, helping Texas maintain momentum as the Longhorns pulled away for a 41–27 Citrus Bowl victory.

Momentum changer in a marquee win

While Manning earned game MVP honors with two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores — including a 60-yard touchdown run — Smith’s defensive plays proved to be the turning point. Running back Christian Clark also chipped in with a career-best 105 rushing yards and a touchdown, but it was Smith’s back-to-back interceptions that swung momentum firmly in Texas’ favor.

For Smith, the Citrus Bowl served as a coming-out party after a quiet but productive regular season, putting him squarely on the national radar.

Jasper pride on the biggest stage

From Wildcat quarterback snaps at Bulldog Stadium to sealing a bowl-game comeback against Michigan, Ty’Anthony Smith’s journey is one Jasper fans know well — and one East Texas can proudly claim.

On Wednesday night, a hometown Bulldog made the biggest impact on the biggest stage, reminding everyone that Jasper football travels well.