Texas Five-Star Plus+ EDGE commit Colin Simmons puts on recruiting hat for Longhorns

Before Texas‘ monumental win over Alabama last weekend, the biggest win of the year for Steve Sarkisian and his staff came on the recruiting trail, when Duncanville (Texas) Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Colin Simmons pledged to the Longhorns on Aug. 10.

Simmons, the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking, is a monumental addition to a Texas recruiting class that’s trying to reach the same heights as its predecessor a cycle ago. After finishing with the No. 6 class in the nation in 2023, the Longhorns’ pledge list is good for just No. 13 this cycle, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

For most teams, the leg work has been accomplished by this point in the cycle, leaving the remaining months before the Early Signing Period as time to put on some finishing touches in the middle of the pile. That’s not the case for Sarkisian and Co. this go-round.

With 17 commits in the middle of September, there are still some spots available to launch the Longhorns up the recruiting rankings. They have their eyes on multiple elite prospects that could do just that. As accomplished as Texas’ coaching staff may be on the recruiting trail, it may be Simmons who plays a crucial role in luring in a couple more big fish to Austin.

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“Only time will tell” for two 5-stars considering Texas

On Sept. 13, Simmons took to social media for his latest hint at a recruiting pitch. Tagging Saint Louis (Mo.) University five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo and Waco (Texas) Connally five-star cornerback Kobe Black, Simmons sent a post out on X — formerly known as Twitter — to say “only time will tell.”

As vague as it may be, Simmons gets his point across well. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), Texas is leading for both five-stars. Both have stated that they intend to commit in December, though decisions could come in sooner. If the Longhorns were to add both prospects, it would likely jump well into the top 10 of the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

Simmons and Wingo were both in Austin over the weekend for a game visit as the Longhorns took on Wyoming. Fresh off the win over Alabama, vibes are high for the soon-to-be SEC program. Simmons, being the top-ranked pledge in the upcoming class, is adding to the hype.

“When he walks out, all the commits say hello and run right up to him,” InsideTexas’ Gerry Hamilton said of Simmons. “Colin’s not a guy that’s boisterous out there, really, he just kinda moved, said hello to everybody, talked to the Texas coaching staff, Sark came over and spent some time with those guys as well.”

Black could be the next blue-chipper to join the fray, as he canceled a visit to LSU and continues to trend heavier and heavier with Texas. The Longhorns have a 93.5% chance to land the No. 24 overall prospect in the cycle, per the On3 RPM.

“We keep hearing it’s close, it’s very close, Texas has a big lead,” Hamilton said. “It seems like A&M is the only one really with a realistic chance to battle Texas, but Texas so far is out in front…If (Black) comes out of the month of October uncommitted, i’d be surprised.”

Simmons could help Texas flip 2025 5-star WR

Simmons’ recruiting efforts could also extend into the 2025 cycle, as he’s doing what he can to try and flip his Duncanville teammate, five-star WR Dakorien Moore, from his LSU commitment. Moore is the No. 9 overall prospect in the class and chose the Tigers over Texas on Aug. 12. He was with Simmons at Texas over the weekend.

“It’s gonna be a battle all the way to the end,” Hamilton said. “(Moore) came down (Saturday), he walked out from under the tunnel with Colin Simmons … (Simmons) is working on the Texas side with Dakorien Moore … it’s gonna be a lot and back and forth in that recruitment.”

Moore has plenty of family roots to Austin and will continue to hear nothing but good things about the program as he suits up on the gridiron alongside Simmons on a weekly basis. According to Hamilton, Texas has kept contact with the speedy in-state receiver, despite his pledge to LSU.

“Every time I see Coach Sark, he welcomed me in with open arms,” Moore told On3 in June. “He’s one of the best coaches from one of the best teams, and he’s making sure me and my family are good.”