Texas vs. Clemson Set to Highlight College Football Playoff: Former Longhorn Zac Swanson Hopes for a Dream Matchup
The No. 5 Texas Longhorns are gearing up to take on the No. 12 Clemson Tigers on Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in the first round of the College Football Playoff (CFP).
The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the winner will advance to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 1, 2025, to face Arizona State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
For one Arizona State player, sophomore defensive tackle Zac Swanson, the possibility of facing the Longhorns is personal.
Swanson, a former three-star recruit from Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, began his college football career at Texas before transferring to ASU before the 2024 season.
Now thriving with the Sun Devils, Swanson revealed in an interview with 247 Sports that he’s motivated by his past experiences with the Longhorns.
Swanson’s Texas Tenure
Swanson committed to Texas ahead of the 2022 season, but his time in Austin was marked by limited opportunities and a bitter departure. He described a pivotal conversation with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s staff that ultimately led to his transfer.
“Exactly what was said is, ‘If you want to stay in Texas, you might as well quit football and just go to school here,’” Swanson shared. “It was probably the worst thing that was ever said to me. They said it so carelessly, like they didn’t care that it was changing my entire life.”
The words, which Swanson described as deeply hurtful, fueled his decision to return to his home state.
Redemption at Arizona State
Since joining the Sun Devils, Swanson has begun to showcase his potential. The six-foot-four, 290-pound defensive lineman recorded 16 tackles and half a sack during the 2024 regular season, a marked improvement from his single tackle during his two years at Texas.
Swanson now views his transfer as the best move he could have made. “Being back home and playing for ASU has been a blessing,” he said. “But to play Texas in the CFP would be a dream. That’s the team that told me I wasn’t good enough.”
CFP Implications
Swanson’s comments add an emotional layer to the high-stakes CFP. Texas enters the matchup against Clemson with one of the most dynamic offenses in the nation, while Clemson’s defense has been a cornerstone of their success this season.
Arizona State, awaiting the winner in the quarterfinals, has enjoyed a resurgence under head coach Kenny Dillingham, bolstered by players like Swanson who bring passion and grit to the roster.
If the Longhorns defeat Clemson, a potential showdown with Arizona State would not just be a battle for a semifinal spot—it would also be a personal reckoning for Swanson, who has channeled his past disappointments into newfound determination.
A Dream Yet to Be Realized
For Swanson, the chance to line up against Texas would mean more than just football. It would be an opportunity to prove his worth on the field against a program that doubted him.
“Facing them would be the ultimate motivation,” Swanson said. “It’s not just about football—it’s about proving to myself and to them that I’m capable.”
As the CFP unfolds, fans and players alike will be watching to see if this “dream scenario” becomes a reality. One thing is certain: Zac Swanson and the Sun Devils are ready for the challenge, and the potential for a dramatic storyline only heightens the anticipation for the weeks ahead.
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