The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 2/2/2 Football’s Simmons named Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year finalist
12.04.2024 | Football
The true freshman EDGE was named one of five finalists for the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football EDGE Colin Simmons was named one of five finalists for the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday morning. 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. Other finalists for this year's award include Alabama's Ryan Williams, Minnesota's Koi Perich, Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and South Carolina's Dylan Stewart.
The true freshman plays has been a force for a Texas defense that leads the FBS in passing yards allowed (143.7 ypg), is second in scoring defense (11.7 ppg) and passing efficiency defense (94.93), is third in total defense (247.2 ypg), red zone defense (.667), passes intercepted (18) and first down defense (177), and leads the SEC in all of those categories. It also ranks fifth in the FBS in turnovers gained (26), sixth in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.303), 12th in rushing defense (103.5 ypg), 15th in sacks (2.92), and 19th in tackles for loss (7.1).
On the season, Simmons has appeared in all 12 games and ranks second on the team in sacks (7.0), tackles for loss (11.5), forced fumbles (2) and quarterback hurries (7) to go along with 36 total tackles (25 solo). The Dallas native leads all FBS freshmen in total sacks with seven and sacks per game, averaging 0.58 this season. His seven 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 dialed up 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).
The winner will be 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.
Up next, the Longhorns battle No. 5/5/7 Georgia in the 2024 SEC Championship Game at 3 p.m. CT, Saturday, Dec. 7, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game will broadcast on ABC with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (reporter) and Laura Rutledge (reporter) on the call. ESPN's College GameDay will be airing live from Atlanta from 8-11 a.m. Saturday hosted by Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit and other ESPN personalities.
