Colin Simmons' mindset ahead of the 2026 season will be music to Longhorns fans' ears

Over the last two years, Colin Simmons has cemented himself as one of the best defensive ends in all of college football.

With nearly 100 total tackles to his name, including a jaw-dropping 21 sacks, Simmons had been virtually impossible for offensive linemen to stop.

Now, as Simmons stares down his third and likely final season with the Texas Longhorns, he is out to be even more of a menace off the line, and his mindset will be music to the ears of fans in burnt orange and white.

"National championship, dog, the national championship. All the individual rewards will come with it, but I just want to win," Simmons told On3. "Win, win, win."

Colin Simmons knows it's natty or bust for Texas

Simmons and the Longhorns have been on the precipice of glory over the last two years, playing in both the SEC Championship game as well as the College Football Playoff at the end of the 2024 season.

Last year, in a form of rebuilding, Texas fell short of expectations, but it didn't slow down Simmons from having another impressive season.

Now, due to him likely being one of the top picks in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft, Simmons knows that it is down to this season for him to make his dreams of winning a national championship come true.

While head coach Steve Sarkisian did a lot of work in the transfer portal this offseason, a lot of his focus was on revitalizing and upgrading the offense, bringing in elite wideout Cam Coleman and running back Hollywood Smothers, just to name two of the additions.

On the defensive side of the ball, Sarkisian undeniably is relying on returning leaders like Simmons to lead the charge, quite literally.

Colin Simmons stats from 2024-26

Even while playing alongside fellow Longhorn legends like linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., Simmons has been able to make a difference on nearly every snap he has played.

• 91 total tackles (54 solo)
• 21 sacks
• 6 forced fumbles
• 4 pass deflections
• 1 interception

This year, he will most likely be a favorite for numerous awards, such as the Ted Hendricks Award, which goes to the best defensive end in college football every year. However, he has made his intentions clear; while the individual awards would be great, the season would have a blemish if it doesn't end with a national championship trophy in his hands.

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