Colin Simmons
Texas#5 overallDraft Movement
Down 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. He grades as the top edge prospect in the 2027 class, and early projections have him as a top-half first-rounder. 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.
The Tape
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
College Market Value
Our model prices him at $2.21M on the open college market, built from production, pedigree, role and Texas's program money. No credible deal has been reported for him this season.
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Measurables
Awards & Honors
2024 Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year (first Longhorn ever); Freshman All-America (FWAA, PFF, and multiple national outlets); SEC All-Freshman Team; 2025 preseason watch lists: Lombardi Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy; graded as the No. 1 edge prospect in the 2027 class; projected 2027 first-round pick