True freshman linebacker Colin Simmons has played in just seven games during his very brief collegiate career. However, even with a lack of experience, Simmons is blowing up every football field he steps onto.
As the Longhorns hover amongst the top five teams in the nation, Simmons has made a name for himself, especially amongst true freshmen. Most recently, PFF College ranked Simmons as the third-highest-graded true freshman in the country – only behind Minnesota's Koj Merich and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith.
Highest Graded True Freshman This Season⭐️ pic.twitter.com/4JIBCFEC0F
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 14, 2024
So far this year (through the Horns' first nine games), Simmons has already amassed 26 total tackles, including 16 solo takedowns, 4 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Keep in mind, Simmons hasn't played in every game and doesn't play every snap yet he has still been able to produce this kind of numbers so far for Texas.
In the Horns' dominant performance against the Florida Gators, Simmons had 1 solo tackle and 2 assisted tackles – a low for his collegiate career so far. His season-high performance came against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
When Texas hosted it's first-ever in-conference SEC opponent, Simmons earned 7 total tackles, including 6 solo tackles and 1 assisted take down on the Bulldogs.
Coming out of high school, Simmons was a four-star prospect, according to On3, and ranked as the No. 15 athlete in the country. Not to mention, he was ranked second overall at his position. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian did an incredible job adding Simmons to the Longhorns' roster.
"He's a really good football player that is willing to learn and to grow," Sarkisian said of the young player after the game versus Mississippi State.
Simmons and the No. 3 Texas Longhorns are scheduled to visit the Arkansas Razorbacks during Week 12 and the star freshman will, most likely, continue to make his name known.