Colin Simmons

The Player

In his third season at Texas as a former five-star recruit, Simmons has been one of the nation’s most productive pass rushers since arriving in Austin.

He is a shorter-framed hybrid edge with solid bulk, elite speed, and outstanding athleticism. His versatility immediately stands out. He lines up on both sides of the formation, plays standing up or with his hand in the dirt, and will even work as an off-ball linebacker attacking interior gaps. He also has experience dropping into coverage on zone pressures.

As a pass rusher, Simmons is sudden, fast, and extremely quick redirecting for his size. He is not yet a fully polished technician, but he wins with efficiency, explosiveness, and violent hands. He lacks elite length, though his thick build and strong power base help compensate.

He is also a physical run defender. Simmons discards tight ends quickly, plays with excellent snap in his hands, and can hold up surprisingly well against bigger offensive tackles. He sets a hard edge, plays with leverage, and consistently shows the strength to finish through contact. His tape against Florida left tackle Austin Barber was a strong example of how disruptive he can be against the run.

Simmons also processes quickly. His eyes are fast, he locates the football well, and he plays with impressive instincts. He brings a nasty streak, an excellent motor, and the type of relentless energy that can set the tone for a defense.