4 Texas true freshmen who burned redshirts in first half

Colin Simmons, EDGE

Standout edge rusher Colin Simmons is the second-highest-graded true freshman defender in the P4. Simmons has been uber-impactful for Texas's pass rush while emerging as an effective part of their run-defending plans coming off the edge for the front seven.

Simmons leads all true freshmen defenders in the P4 this season in quarterback pressures (15), sacks (four), defensive stops (15), and run stuffs (six).

Even when you compare him to all classes of edge rushers in the P4, Simmons still stands the test to be one of the top-performing pass rushers and EDGE defenders this season. He is one of the top five highest-graded edge rushers in the P4.

Like Wingo, it's not surprising in the slightest that Simmons burned his redshirt for the Longhorns' defense immediately this fall. Simmons is too effective of a pass rusher and is quickly coming along as a run defender, making it nearly impossible to keep him off the field for long stretches of plays for Pete Kwiatkowski and the Texas defense.

In three out of the last four games, Simmons has multiple tackles for loss and multiple quarterback pressures. He also has four sacks and one forced fumble in the last five games.

There was never a plan for Simmons to take a redshirt, since he's expected to play for three years in college at Texas and then take his talents to the NFL in a few offseasons from now.

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