If Colin Simmons plays with the unbridled ferocity he showed during a meeting with the media Thursday, opposing offenses will be in trouble.
Simmons, a junior All-American edge rusher and one of the defensive talismans for Texas football, didn’t hold back during a rollicking interview that had reporters licking their chops and the media relations folks at Texas more nervous than a bulldog around Bevo.
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So, Colin, we’ve heard about Arch Manning’s “shit talk” from Steve Sarksian. What does the Texas quarterback particularly say that that makes him effective?
Simmons: “He’s good, but it’s just funny. It’s just funny hearing it from him. It’s just funny.”
Well, what’s his best lines?
Simmons: “Shit talk.”
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Colin, what keyed your improvement against the run last year, especially in the second half of the season?
Simmons: “I think I just said (expletive) it.”
Is that the advice you give the other edges like Lance Jackson and Zina Umeozulu?
Simmons: “Yeah, (expletive) it. Go strike shit. Yeah, go make a play. Go be you. Go be yourself.”
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Texas Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons (1) celebrates a tackle for a loss in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
But there’s more. Simmons, who as a freshman said he’d break the single-season school record of 22 ½ sacks set by Kiki DeAyala in 1982, coats his natural confidence with praise for his teammates and coaches, especially new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.
Colin, what’s the strength of the defense this season?
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Simmons: “Our defensive coordinator.”
And what about emerging defensive tackle Justus Terry, who’s turning heads in summer camp?
Simmons: “JT’s a dog, straight dog. NFL talent.”
And, Colin, what stands out about your heir apparent Richard Wesley, a five-star edge freshman from Southern California?
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Simmons: “Shoot, I always tell Richie he’ll mess around and be better than me. Honestly, truthfully.”
But it’s hard to best what Simmons has done in two short seasons at Texas. A former five-star edge rusher from Dallas-area powerhouse Duncanville, he’s already produced 21 sacks in 29 career games. He became a full-time starter last season and responded with an SEC-high 12 sacks.
Expectations have only risen this offseason for the 6-foot-3, 246-pound pass-rushing phenom who’s projected as a top-10 pick in next year’s NFL draft. He’s earned spots on the preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Wuerffel Trophy, which all recognize the top lineman or defensive player in the nation. Pick a preseason All-American squad, and Simmons likely has a spot on the first team.
Not that Simmons cares much about such accolades. With the season-opener against Texas State just two weeks away, he wants to put aside the preseason pats on the back, the social media noise and NFL chatter.
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Football’s almost here, and Simmons says he just wants to do his job, lead the defense and help the No. 5 Longhorns get back to the College Football Playoff for a third time in the past four years.
“I done gotten to period in life where I just hear a lot,” he said. “I hear a lot of opinions, good or bad. I just keep a neutral mindset, and I just go out there and be myself and play ball.”