Looking toward Texas football's future: Colin Simmons

Colin Simmons earned several major true freshman accolades for his 2024 exploits: All-SEC Freshman team, FWAA Freshman All-American, On3 True Freshman All-American, and the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award. Without a doubt, Simmons lived up to his five-star billing. More will be asked of him as his career enters its second period, and there’s no reason to think he won’t be able to meet those expectations as well.

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Simmons didn’t log any starts in 2024 but played a considerable role in all 16 games. His introduction to the nation occurred in Ann Arbor, Mich., when he logged an important sack against the Wolverines as part of a dominant effort by the Longhorn defense.

As to be expected from a freshman, there was some boom and bust to his game. In Texas’ SEC debut versus Mississippi State, he tallied seven tackles with 3.0 for loss and 2.0 sacks plus a forced fumble. He then had five tackles with 1.5 for loss the following week against Oklahoma.

Then the freshman wall showed up. He did not record a stat against Georgia or at Vanderbilt and then tallied three tackles in Texas’ blowout of Florida. Some get frustrated, and Simmons likely was at a certain juncture in early November.

His response to that adversity provided a foundation not just for tremendous late season play, but also for the next few seasons he plays in burnt orange before likely declaring for the 2027 draft. He had 22 tackles in the Longhorns’ final seven games, with 6.5 for loss and 5.0 sacks. In that time, Simmons forced two fumbles, broke up two passes, and even intercepted Cade Klubnik during Texas’ win over Clemson.

The improvement was noted by Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski in the run-up to the Peach Bowl.

“The improvement he’s making is in his technique and fundamentals,” said Kwiatkowski. “Pad level, hand placement, being physical on a consistent basis. The easy stuff for him or what comes easy to him is rushing the passer, coming off the edge, but being able to play the run game at a really physical level, that’s where he’s making strides.”

Simmons finished the season second on the team in tackles for loss with 14.0, the third-most all-time by a freshman in school history. He also led the Longhorns in sacks with 9.0, which also was the third-most for a freshman in school history and tops in the FBS among freshmen.

Simmons is by no means a finished product. Trey Moore started at the position over Simmons for a reason, and there were observable instances over the course of the season where opponents found success at Simmons’ expense. His Buck position at Texas isn’t just about playing the run and rushing the passer. There are coverage aspects and other minute details that make it a more complex position than people might think.

“His next step is just being able to know the defense inside and out and just decrease the mental busts that he has during the course of a game,” Kwiatkowski said.

That was something Simmons was aware of in the aftermath of his standout day versus UTSA.

“Honestly, I’m just getting comfortable,” Simmons said. “I’m just getting started. That’s the crazy thing. I’m just now getting started bro. The more comfortable I get in college football, it’s the best. I’ve got a lot in me.”

No one doubts that. A crucial part of Texas’ standard down defense and pass-rush, Simmons exemplified growth throughout the year that made it apparent he has an incredibly high ceiling over the next two seasons.

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He, along with Moore, will be tasked with providing standout play at the Buck position in 2025. If what those two did in 2024 is anything to base things off of, that should be about as predictable as the sun rising in the east.