On3 ranks a Texas defender where rival fans swore he didn’t belong

On3 recently came out with their way-too-early player rankings heading into the 2026 season, and they have Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons ranked higher than some would've expected.

Simmons was called "overrated" multiple times in 2025 by opposing fans and outsiders, but it's pretty safe to say that anyone who actually watches him play, thinks otherwise. The stats also back it up and he's been one of the most dominant defenders in all of college football since his true freshman season in 2024.

Simmons is one of the best and most effective pure pass rushers in all of college football, and he's getting better and better each year (which is scary). His ability to pin his ears back and get after the quarterback from multiple spots on a consistent basis is what sets him apart from other top pass rushers right now. He displays the same type of relentless motor against both the run and pass, making him an extremely tough player to face for any offensive lineman.

On3 gave us a little snapshot of their thought process when it comes to Simmons:

"Colin Simmons is one of the most dynamic defensive linemen around. The Longhorn might lack premium length, but his motor runs red-hot and he’s an unequivocal tone setter.

He’s quite good at stuffing the stat sheet. Simmons’ 91 impact plays (havocs + defensive stops) were top-10-worthy last fall. Additionally, his 14.3 percent impact rate was in the top 12 among edges with at least 200 snaps.

Opposing passers constantly have to clock where he lines up. If his 19 sacks as an underclassman fail to sell you on his ability to get after quarterbacks, Simmons’ Pass Rush Win Rate of 21.2 percent was top-eight among high-volume Power 4 players at the position in 2025."

It's nice to see Simmons being recognized this early in the 2026 offseason, and hopefully he'll get a little more respect this year.