The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 5/5 Football’s Simmons tabbed Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year semifinalist
11.06.2024 | Football
The true freshman EDGE was named one of 14 semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award on Wednesday. The honor is presented to the most outstanding freshman in college football by the Maxwell Football Club.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football EDGE Colin Simmons was named one of 14 semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday. The honor is presented to the most outstanding freshman in college football by the Maxwell Football Club.
Simmons was one of two Longhorns (Ryan Wingo) named to the preseason watch list for the award in August.
The true freshman is part of a Longhorn defense that leads the nation in several statistical categories through eight games this season. UT leads the nation in passing yards allowed (135.8 ypg), team passing efficiency defense (90.77) and total defense (241.3). The Horns also rank second nationally in scoring defense (11.5 ppg) and first down defense (113). Texas leads the SEC while ranking 11th nationally in interceptions with 12. Texas also sits seventh in the country in 3rd down conversion percentage defense (0.284).
The Dallas native is second on UT in tackles for loss (7.5-29), sacks (4.0-23) and quarterback hurries (4) while being one of five Longhorns with a forced fumble this season. In addition, he leads all Texas freshmen with 23 tackles (eight solo stops). Simmons is second amongst FBS freshmen in total sacks and sacks per game (0.50). His 4.0 sacks are the ninth-most by a freshman in program history.
In Texas' 31-12 road win at No. 10/9 Michigan on Sept. 7, Simmons combined for solo sack for a loss of two yards and a quarterback hurry. He followed up his performance vs. the Wolverines with a six-tackle (four solo) effort that included two tackles for a loss of eight yards, one sack for a loss of seven yards and a quarterback hurry. In UT's SEC opener that resulted in a 35-13 decision against Mississippi State on Sept. 28, Simmons dialed up a season-high seven tackles (six solo), three sacks for a loss of 15 yards, including two sacks for a loss of 14 yards and a forced fumble. Simmons had five tackles (two solo), including 1.5 tackles for a loss of four yards, in the 34-3 win vs. No. 18/16 Oklahoma on Oct. 12.
Finalists for the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on Dec. 4 and the winner revealed on Dec. 26. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 14, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Simmons and No. 5/5 Texas host the Florida Gators at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 9, inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Katie George (sideline) on the call.
