The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 4/4/3 Football’s Simmons lands on FWAA Freshman All-America Team
01.14.2025 | Football
The Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year was placed on the Football Writers Association of America’s Freshman All-America Team.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football true freshman EDGE Colin Simmons was named to the Football Writers Association of America's Freshman All-America Team, the organization announced Tuesday. It marks the fourth-consecutive season in which Texas has been represented on the team. The streak is the longest since Texas was represented in six-straight years from 2001-06.
Last season, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. was tabbed to the team, while left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was awarded the honor in 2022. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy was selected in 2021. Simmons is the 17th Longhorn to earn Freshman All-American recognition by the FWAA.
Simmons was named Shaun Alexander's National Freshman of the Year on Dec. 26 – the first Longhorn to garner the award in its seven-year history. He also earned a spot on the SEC's All-Freshman team on Dec. 12.
The Dallas native had a breakout year in his first season on the Forty Acres, emerging as a standout on an elite Texas defense. With Simmons' help, the UT defense ranked No. 1 in the FBS in passes intercepted with 22. Texas also ranked No. 2 nationally in turnovers gained (30), team passing efficiency defense (104.56), No. 3 in total defense (283.4 ypg), red zone defense (0.692), fourth in scoring defense (15.3 ppg), seventh in passing yards allowed (173.8 ypg), ninth in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.314), 13th in rushing defense (109.6 ypg), 15th in team sacks (2.88) and 22nd in team tackles for loss (7.0). UT shut out opponents in the first half in three of the last four games to cap the regular season – all conference opponents. The Horns finished the regular season giving up just four passing touchdowns – which tied with Ohio State for the fewest in the FBS.
Simmons appeared in all 16 games this season and led the team with 9.0 sacks for a loss of 64 yards and ranked second on the squad in tackles for loss (14.0-73), quarterback hurries (nine) and forced fumbles (three). Simmons also compiled 48 total tackles (31 solo), an interception and two pass break-ups. Simmons led all FBS freshmen in total sacks, while his nine sacks are the third-most by a freshman in program single-season history. During the postseason, Simmons carded 15 quarterback pressures, the third-most among all FBS defenders.
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. Simmons helped Texas claim a 38-24 victory over No. 16 and 12th-seeded Clemson in the College Football Playoff First Round on Dec. 21. Simmons finished with 1 tackle, including a 0.5 tackle for a loss of one yard, and recorded his first career interception to go along with a quarterback hurry. Simmons picked off Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik with 5:55 remaining in the second quarter and became the 12th Longhorn to record an interception this season. With the interception, Texas was able to extend its streak of turnovers gained to 22-straight games. In the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Arizona State (Jan. 1), Simmons logged five tackles (two solo) and a sack for a loss of four yards. In the CFP Semifinal at the 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl vs. Ohio State (Jan. 10), he recorded four stops (two solo) and a season-high two pass break-ups.
Longhorns named FWAA Freshman All-Americans (17)
2024: EDGE Colin Simmons*
2023: LB Anthony Hill Jr.*
2022: OL Kelvin Banks Jr.*
2021: WR Xavier Worthy*
2018: DB Caden Sterns*
2016: OL Zach Shackelford*
2015: LB Malik Jefferson*; OL Connor Williams*
2011: DB Quandre Diggs*
2008: S Earl Thomas
2006: QB Colt McCoy
2005: DL Brian Orakpo
2004: DL Frank Okam*
2003: OL Justin Blalock
2002: DL Rodrique Wright*
2001: LB Derrick Johnson*; K Dusty Mangum*
*Denotes true freshman
