The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 4/4/3 Football’s Simmons placed on SEC All-Freshman Team
12.12.2024 | Football
The true freshman EDGE and Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year finalist was named to the Southeastern Conference’s All-Freshman Team on defense Thursday afternoon.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football true freshman EDGE Colin Simmons was named to the Southeastern Conference's All-Freshman Team on defense, the conference office announced Thursday.
Simmons is also a finalist for the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
In his first season on the Forty Acres, Simmons has made an immediate impact on a dominant Texas defense that leads the FBS in several categories, including turnovers gained (28) and passing yards allowed (143.1 ypg). In addition, Texas ranks No. 2 in the FBS in scoring defense (12.5 ppg) and team passing efficiency defense (95.19) while sitting third in passes intercepted (19) and total defense (249.5 ypg). The Horns also rank fifth nationally in first down defense (196), sixth in third-down conversion percentage defense (30.6 percent), seventh in red zone defense (71.4 percent), 12th in team tackles for loss (7.3) and 15th in rushing defense (106.4).The Horns' have given up just four passing touchdowns through 13 games, which ties for the fewest in the FBS and shares the program's single-season record for fewest passing touchdowns surrendered in a season (1972). UT shut out opponents in the first half in three of the last four games to cap the regular season – all conference opponents.
On the season, Simmons has appeared in all 13 games and leads the team in sacks (8.0-60) while ranking second in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback hurries (8) and forced fumbles (3). The Dallas native leads all FBS freshmen in total sacks and sacks per game (0.62). His eight sacks are the third-most by a Texas freshman in program single-season 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 logged a season-high seven tackles (six solo), three tackles 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. He had a dominant outing in the Horns' 20-10 road win at Arkansas on Nov. 16 where he compiled three stops, including two sacks for a loss of 18 yards. He followed suit with another standout effort in UT's home regular season finale win against Kentucky on Nov. 23, recording two tackles for a loss of 10 yards, including a sack for a loss of eight, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. In Texas' 17-7 road win at No. 20/19/20 Texas A&M, Simmons gathered five tackles (four solo). In the SEC Championship game against Georgia on Dec. 7, Simmons registered two solo tackles, including one sack for a loss of 11 yards, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.
Texas will be making its second College Football Playoff appearance in as many years after earning a No. 3 ranking in the CFP poll and the No. 5 overall seed. The Horns will host No. 13/13/16 Clemson at 3 p.m. CT Saturday, Dec. 21, inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in the CFP first round. The game will broadcast on TNT with Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (color analyst), Taylor McGregor (reporter) and Laura Rutledge (reporter) on the call. The first-round winner will advance to the CFP Quarterfinal at the 57th Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and face the Big 12 Champion and No. 4 seed Arizona State at Noon C.T. on Jan. 1, 2025, in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game will air on an ABC/ESPN platform.
