Last season, the Texas Longhorns had their second-consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoffs after an incredible first season in the SEC. Now, the Horns look to grow on that success as they enter the Arch Manning era of their program.
However, when ESPN released a preview of the upcoming season, featuring all 16 teams in the SEC, Manning wasn’t the player of the highest interest. Instead, defensive star Colin Simmons was thrown into the spotlight.
In 2024, as a true freshman, Simmons became a menacing player for the Texas defensive unit, and he quickly turned into a consistent presence behind the D-Line.
The young linebacker collected an incredible 48 total tackles (31 solo, 17 assisted), nine sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass deflections, and one interception throughout his freshman season. ESPN believes he’s capable of even more.
“There are very few ready-made players when they step onto campus for the first time,” Chris Low wrote. “Simmons was one of those players.”
To walk onto any campus at just 18 years old and be ready to play as a starter is impressive, much less within the blue blood football program at the University of Texas. Simmons did just that throughout last season.
ESPN didn’t ignore the rest of the line up as Low and Mark Schlabacah also highlighted standout Longhorns such as guards DJ Campbell and Cole Hutson as well as tackles Brandon Backer and Trevor Goosby.
Simmons and the Longhorns are set to start spring camp on March 17 and will kick off their 2025 season with a road game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, the team that kicked Texas out of the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoffs. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Horns decided to cancel their annual Spring Game amid a wave of programs making the same decision due to player retention.
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