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Texas EDGE Colin Simmons having first year to remember in Austin

On3 imageby:Justin Wells•about 22 hours
Colin Simmons
Colin Simmons (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

When you come into a college program with as many fireworks as the five-star Colin Simmons, the expectations often don’t match the production. The freshman All American EDGE decided that wouldn’t be the case in his first season on the Forty Acres.

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Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski spoke to the media on Friday ahead of UT’s Peach Bowl versus Arizona State on New Year’s Day and was asked about the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year and much-ballyhooed prospect’s first year in Austin.

Where has Simmons improved the most this year and what does he need to improve on the most?

“The improvement (Colin’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 appeared in all 14 games and leads the team in sacks (8.0-60) while ranking second in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback hurries (9) and forced fumbles (3). The Dallas native leads all FBS freshmen in total sacks and ranks second in sacks per game (0.57). His eight sacks are the third-most by a Texas freshman in program single-season history.

So what’s the next step for the phenomenal freshman?

“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.

The Duncanville (Texas) native was also named to the SEC’s All-Freshman Team on December 12th.

The Longhorns, led by Kwiatkowski, boast one of the nation’s most dominant defenses in 2024. They lead the FBS in turnovers gained (29) and passes intercepted (20). In addition, UT ranks No. 2 in the FBS in scoring defense (13.3 ppg), team passing efficiency defense (100.38) and passing yards allowed (156.9). Texas sits third in the FBS in total defense (261.1), fifth in third-down conversion percentage defense (30.2), sixth in red zone defense (71) and 10th in rushing defense (104.2). 

And Simmons has been a spark on that side of the ball. His biggest games have come on the biggest stages during wins over Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M.

The Longhorns travel to Atlanta for the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 57th annual Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedez-Benz Stadium. Texas will take on fourth-seed Arizona State at Noon CT on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The game will broadcast on ESPN with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Katie George (reporter) on the call.

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