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AUSTIN, Texas – Texas football true freshman EDGE Colin Simmons has been named to the Southeastern Conference Defensive All-Freshman team, the conference office announced Thursday.
Simmons is also a finalist for the 2024 Sean Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
In his first season with the Forty Acres, Simmons made an immediate impact on a dominant Texas defense that led the FBS in several categories, including turnovers (28) and passing yards (143.1 ypg). Gave. Additionally, Texas ranks second in the FBS in scoring defense (12.5 ypg) and team pass efficiency defense (95.19), and third in pass interceptions (19) and total defense (249.5 ypg). The Horns also rank fifth nationally in first down defense (196), sixth in third down conversion rate defense (30.6 percent), seventh in red zone defense (71.4 percent), and 12th in team tackles for loss (7.3). He ranks 15th in rushing. Defense (106.4). The Horns have allowed just four passing touchdowns through 13 games, tied for the fewest in the FBS and tied for a program record. Fewest passing touchdowns given up in a season (1972). UT closed out the regular season by shutting out its opponents in the first half in three of its past four games (all were conference opponents).
During the season, Simmons appeared in all 13 games and led the team in sacks (8.0-60) and was second in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback tackles (8) and forced fumbles (3). is ranked. The Dallas native leads all FBS freshmen in total sacks and sacks per game (0.62). His eight sacks are the third-most by a Texas freshman in program single-season history.
On September 7, in Texas’ 31-12 road win at Michigan on Oct. 9, Simmons had a solo sack for a 2-yard loss and a quarterback rush. He followed up his performance against the Wolverines with six tackles (four solo), including two tackles for a loss of eight yards, one sack for a loss of seven yards and a quarterback rush. In the SEC opener against Mississippi State on September 28, in a 35-13 decision, Simmons had a season-high seven tackles (six solo) and three tackles for 15 yards. He recorded two sacks for a loss of 14 yards. yards and forced fumbles. Simmons had five tackles (two solo) in a 34-3 win over No. 18/16 Oklahoma on Oct. 12, including 1.5 tackles for a loss of four yards. The Horns showed an overwhelming performance with a score of 20-10. In a road win at Arkansas on Nov. 16, he had three stops, including two sacks for a loss of 18 yards. He was also outstanding in the home regular season finale against Kentucky on Nov. 23, recording two tackles for a loss of 10 yards, including a sack for a loss of 8 yards. He had one forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. Simmons had five tackles (four solo) in Texas’ 17-7 road win at No. 20/19/20 Texas A&M. In the SEC Championship game against Georgia on December 7, Simmons recorded one sack for a loss of 11 yards, a forced fumble, and two solo tackles, including a quarterback rush.
Texas earned the No. 3 spot in the CFP voting and the No. 5 overall seed, making it to the College Football Playoff for the second time in as many years. The Horns will face No. 13/13/16 Clemson in the first round of the CFP on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. CT inside Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The fight will be broadcast via call on TNT by Dave Pash (commentary), Dusty Dvoracek (color analyst), Taylor McGregor (reporter) and Laura Rutledge (reporter). The first-round winner will advance to the CFP quarterfinals of the 57th Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl to face Big 12 champion and No. 4 seed Arizona State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2025 at noon in Connecticut. do. Atlanta. The game will be broadcast on the ABC/ESPN platform.
