As Colin Simmons prepares for his third season with the Longhorns, he is making national headlines. On Friday, the Texas native earned a spot on the Lott Impact Trophy Watch List. Each year, the award is given to the nation’s top defensive player, and Simmons has made life difficult for offensive coordinators on a weekly basis.
Through his first two campaigns as a Longhorn, Simmons has recorded 91 total tackles and 21 sacks. He has also added four pass deflections to his resume and recovered three fumbles. Regardless of the opponent, the Duncanville High Alum has been hard to stop and helped put the Longhorns in a position to win.
While Simmons has been a human highlight reel, he has also added to his trophy case. The Longhorns junior was named a 2025 Second-Team All-American by The Sporting News. He was also named to the 2025 Coaches’ All-SEC First Team. Simmons accolades don’t stop there as he made history as a freshman, becoming the first player in program history to win the Shawn Alexander National Freshman of the Year award.
For Simmons, the expectations are high following his best season on the Forty Acres. He set new career highs during the 2025 campaign in sacks and assisted tackles. While the Longhorns season was full of ups and downs, Simmons was a model of consistency.
If the Longhorns’ star is able to add to his trophy case, that would not come as a surprise. He has been an impact player every season with more room to grow. If he can take another step forward, then the Longhorns will not be an ideal matchup on either side of the ball.
Although Simmons will have to wait a few months to make his case, evaluators nationwide are showing that they expect an unforgettable season from one of the best players in the country.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns star named to Lott Impact Trophy Watch List
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
