Back in the spring, Texas football edge rusher Colin Simmons shouted out his goals to anyone who would listen.
What’s the target number for sacks for the 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore?
Article continues below this ad
“I’m trying to break the school record, I’ll just say that,” Simmons said after an April practice.
And why switch to jersey No. 1 from No. 11 after a freshman All-American season?
“Because I am the one,” he responded.
Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (11) celebrate a quarterback sack with his teammates in the fourth quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Nov. 23, 2024.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
But with the 2025 season just two weeks away, Simmons seems almost a bit tired of the boasts. He and the No. 1 Longhorns travel to Ohio State for the Aug. 30 season opener, and Simmons says he’s ready to put all the words into action.
Article continues below this ad
Texas Longhorns edge rushers Colin Simmons (11) and Ethan Burke (91) celebrate a sack during the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
“I’m done talking about it,” he said Thursday, sweat still dripping following a late afternoon preseason practice at Denius Fields. “I’m done saying that I want to do this. I’m just going to go do it.”
Not that Simmons has slacked off about his goals. Texas’ single-season school record of 22½ sacks remains his personal goal, he said, even if he isn’t aware of all the details about the record.
“I don’t know who it was, but it was way back in the day,” he said.
Article continues below this ad
It was back in 1982, to be precise. And as Houston Chronicle columnist Kirk Bohls — who has covered Longhorns football for more than 50 years — reminded Simmons, that number was reached by a scrappy, undersized defensive lineman named Kiki DeAyala.
“I don’t know how to pronounce that, but he had to be a dog,” Simmons responded.
When asked if Simmons could reach that lofty number after leading the Longhorns with nine sacks a year ago, he didn’t even try to hide the confidence that’s as much a part of his game as his lightning-fast first step.
“Look, I think I can do anything I put my mind to,” Simmons said.
Article continues below this ad
Texas Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons (11) and Texas fans celebrate the 17-7 win over Texas A&M in the Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
MORE TEXAS FOOTBALL: Longhorns RB CJ Baxter chases girlfriend’s title in injury comeback
Colin Simmons: Technique tweak next step for edge rusher
Until the season kicks off, Simmons keeps his mind on the task at hand. And he’s got a new taskmaster in practice with LaAllen Clark, the Longhorns’ first-year edge coach who spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant for Ohio State’s defensive front.
Article continues below this ad
“Colin’s a special kid,” Clark said. “It’s that small stuff we’re working on since I got here, just to get him to take that next step. Just being more detailed on technique, sound on little stuff in the pass rush. Just the stuff that you work on day in, day out. I came in and watched his tape with him when I first got here, and we kind of agreed that he left a lot of stuff on the table.”
One significant technique change for Simmons involves his use of a three-point stance. Simmons didn’t start last season and primarily rotated in on passing downs. As a result, he spent almost all his snaps in a two-point stance, which makes it easier to read an offensive backfield and get a quicker first step with a pass rush.
Simmons will start this season, which means he’s been putting his hand on the turf in a lot more situations. A three-point stance helps an edge hold up in the running game against the behemoths on the offensive line even if it makes your pass rush slow down a tick.
Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (11) celebrates an interception in the second quarter as the Texas Longhorns play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, Dec. 21, 2024.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
But Clark said some tweaks will keep Simmons among the quickest pass rushers in college football, even from a down position. And it will also help Simmons when he eventually joins the NFL, which won’t be possible until after his junior year in 2026.
Article continues below this ad
‘“My coach definitely sees my get-off being even faster,” Simmons said. “And my hand will be in the dirt in the league, so why not work on it now?”
MORE: Texas RB Quintrevion Wisner dumped McDonalds, embraces teammate’s return | Golden
Trevor Goosby: Simmons ‘a problem’ rushing the passer
It doesn’t sound like Simmons’ pass rush needs that much work.
Article continues below this ad
“Colin, he’s a real problem,” said Longhorns left tackle Trevor Goosby, himself a pro prospect who often faces off against Simmons in practice. “He’s just a super, super athletic person that can rush the quarterback, for sure. He’s really developed a lot, he’s really put a lot of moves in his bag.”
Simmons seems plenty eager to reach into that bag of tricks, especially after playing a big role in his debut season for a team that went 13-3 and reached a second consecutive College Football Playoff semifinal.
The former five-star prospect is used to winning, earning multiple state titles with Duncanville High School, near Dallas.
“I feel way more comfortable than I was my freshman year, especially with knowing the playbook and just flying around out there having fun,” he said. “That’s really the main thing with me, just having fun out there. I don’t want to think it’s a job or anything like that. I just want to go out there, have fun, do what I’m supposed to do, do my assignment and get better as a team.”
Article continues below this ad
And if he sets certain individual marks along the way, so be it.
“You’ve got to have confidence in yourself to be in the trenches with them big dogs,” he said. “I mean, 100% my confidence drives me. That’s what makes Collin Simmons. That makes me, me.”