Texas trending for Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Colin Simmons

Duncanville (Texas) Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Colin Simmons will have no shortage of choices when it comes time for him to make his decision. Whether it’s in-state or out-of-state, Simmons holds offers from nearly all of the major Power Five programs in the country.

While the option of heading out of the Lone Star state remains on the table, the Texas Longhorns look like the early favorites to land a commitment from Simmons.

Following recent industry updates, Texas has taken the lead for Simmons according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). The Longhorns sit with a 49.4% chance to land his pledge while LSU sits in second at 26.1%.

Inside Texas’ Eric Nahlin and Gerry Hamilton both logged expert predictions for Texas to land a commitment from Simmons. Hamilton locked in his prediction with a confidence level of 65% while Nahlin’s was at 60%.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder is at Texas this weekend for an official visit with his mother and brother. Prior to this visit, he took officials to Miami, SMU, Alabama and he’ll take one to LSU in November for their game against Florida.

He’s also stated that he’ll likely take his recruitment through December.

“I’m from Texas, it’s the home state team,” Simmons told On3 in May regarding the Longhorns. “Austin is an upcoming city and there’s a lot of potential I see out there. I feel like Austin, Texas is going to be — and not just UT itself — up in the next couple of years. Their pitch is honestly just that they need me and want me real bad, especially at my position.

… [Coach Sark is] definitely top two head coaches that I’ve ever met, not only high school but just that I’ve ever met. I love everything about him, his personality, everything. He’s outgoing, he’s outstanding.”

Texas recruiting in 2024 cycle

Compared to how they finished the 2023 recruiting cycle, the 2024 cycle hasn’t gotten off to the fastest of starts.

Currently Texas only has five pledges in this class. They are Schertz (Texas) Smithson Valley four-star wide receiver Freddie Dubose Jr., Scottsdale (Ariz.) Desert Mountain four-star cornerback Santana Wilson, Phoenix (Ariz.) Mountain Pointe four-star running back Christian Clark, Cypress (Texas) Cy-Fair three-star quarterback Trey Owens and Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas three-star kicker Michael Kern.

That group ranks as the No. 49 class in the country and No. 5 in the SEC.

Texas wrapped up the 2023 recruiting cycle with the No. 3 class in the Big 12. The Longhorns had 25 pledges in the class highlighted by a trio of five-star products in quarterback Arch Manning, linebacker Anthony Hill and running back CJ Baxter Jr.