PFF just released its list of the best defensive players in each Power 4 conference, and who they picked for the SEC might be surprising to some, even Longhorn football fans.
ACC - DT Peter Woods, Clemson
BIG 10 - S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
BIG 12 - LB Austin Romaine, Kansas State
SEC - DE Colin Simmons, Texas
Let's preface this by saying that Simmons was undoubtedly one of the best defensive linemen in the country as a true freshman last season, and he has nowhere to go but up. The physical tools are there and will stay there, but he'll be even better when diagnosing plays and refining his pass rush repertoire.
Best Defensive Player in Every Conference Ahead of the 2025 Season⭐️ pic.twitter.com/tcBo3SPxoB
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 25, 2025
Very few players in college football have the type of motor and tenacity that Simmons has as a pass rusher, and it's very possible that he'll develop into the type of player that Will Anderson was for Alabama a few seasons ago. Using former Longhorns as an example, Simmons isn't as stout of a run defender as Brian Orakpo was, but he's a much better pure pass rusher already.
All that being said, it could be "surprising" to Longhorn fans that Anthony Hill Jr. wasn't the player selected for Texas. A lot of NFL teams admire Hill Jr., and he could end up being the top linebacker selected in the 2026 NFL Draft next April.
His processing skills and ability to affect the game in multiple areas are second to none, and he's one of the only true sideline-to-sideline linebackers in the league right now. His lateral quickness and explosion allows him to change direction in the open field like a defensive back in coverage. Hill's instincts and overall recognition skills make him an incredibly dangerous player for Texas' defense.
Only time will tell which of these players have a bigger impact in 2025, but it goes without saying that both of them will be dominant.