Colin Simmons

EDGE·Texas#3 overall
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Draft Movement

#4 · Jun 8#3 · now

Up 1 spot since Jun 8

Scouting Report

Colin Simmons arrived in Austin as the consensus No. 1 edge rusher in his recruiting class out of Duncanville, Texas, and he wasted exactly zero time validating the hype. The 6'3", 240-pound sophomore became the first Longhorn ever to win the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year Award after racking up 9.0 sacks and 14.0 tackles for loss as a true freshman, capped by a strip-sack of Carson Beck in the SEC Championship that swung field position in a top-tier moment. NFLDraftBuzz ranks him as the No. 1 LB/EDGE in the 2027 class with a 94.0 player rating, and WalterFootball's Charlie Campbell has him projected as a top-half first-rounder in early 2027 mocks. The traits jump off the screen: elite first-step explosion, freakish ankle bend, and the hand violence to defeat grip from bigger tackles. He plays bigger than the listed weight, converting speed-to-power with shocking consistency against SEC tackles, and the motor never quits, he chases plays from the backside and has a documented nose for the ball, forcing six fumbles across his first two seasons. His sophomore tape (30 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 2 FF through 10 games) shows continued production despite constant chip help and slide protection. He's a wide-9 dream and projects as a high-end starter who could push for double-digit sack production immediately. The Von Miller flexibility comparisons are not casually tossed around.

Strengths

  • Elite first-step explosion that beats tackles before they're out of their stance
  • Freakish ankle and hip flexibility allows him to dip and rip around the arc without losing speed
  • Violent, well-placed hands that defeat grip and shed even when blockers latch
  • Functional play strength belies the 240 frame, walks tackles back into the pocket on speed-to-power
  • Documented ball-disruptor with 6 forced fumbles in two seasons and a habit of stripping at contact
  • Big-game riser, multi-sack performances vs Oklahoma, Kentucky, and the SEC Championship strip-sack of Georgia
  • Relentless motor with backside chase speed that creates effort sacks
  • Instincts for screens and misdirection rare for a young edge

Weaknesses

  • Frame is on the lighter side at 240 lbs and will need to add functional mass to hold up vs NFL power
  • Can get washed by maulers who land first into his chest at the point of attack
  • Pass-rush counter plan is still developing, gets stuck on an island when initial move is stoned
  • Overpursues at times when QBs step up, vacating contain on the edge
  • Run defense vs gap/power schemes wavers when guards pull at him directly
  • Bull-rush as a primary plan B not yet consistent against double teams and chip help

NFL Comparison

Von Miller (bend, hand usage, sack instincts at a similar frame); Will Anderson Jr. (motor, big-game production, hand violence); Brian Burns (length and bend with development room to add mass)

College Stats

2024 (FR): 16 G, 48 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 14.0 TFL, 3 FF, 2 PD, 1 INT; 2025 (SO, through 10 G): 43 tackles (23 solo), 12.0 sacks, 3 FF, 2 PD

Measurables

Height
6'3"
Weight
240

Awards & Honors

2024 Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year (first Longhorn ever); Freshman All-America (ESPN, FWAA, PFF, The Athletic); SEC All-Freshman Team; 2025 preseason watch lists: Lombardi Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy; NFLDraftBuzz No. 1 LB/EDGE in 2027 class (94.0 rating); WalterFootball projected 2027 1st-round pick