On Thursday, Longhorns star edge rusher Colin Simmons made history. The Duncanville High School product was named the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award winner. He is the first player in program history to win the award.
In his first season as a Longhorn, Simmons played in 14 games and led the team in sacks with eight. He ranked second in tackles for loss with 12.5, quarterback hurries with nine and forced fumbles with three. Due to his play he has continued to add to his trophy case and isn’t taking anything for granted.
“It’s such an amazing honor, and I appreciate it so much,” Simmons told Texas Athletics on Thursday afternoon. ” I want to thank my teammates and my coaches for helping me get to the position that I’m in right now and allowing me to play to the best of my abilities and grow as a person on and off the field. This really goes to them, too.”
Congratulations to Colin Simmons, EDGE, University of Texas! You are the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman Football Player of the Year.@ColinSimmons__ joins our awesome family of award-winning athletes.
2018: @Trevorlawrencee
2019: @KENNETHGAINWEL
2020: @will_anderson28… pic.twitter.com/307m5E6Tu6— Shaun Alexander (@shaunalexander) December 26, 2024
As Simmons proved he was one of the best players in the Longhorns’ defense, he also ranked highly among his classmates. He finished the 2024 campaign leading all freshmen in total sacks and ranked second in sacks per game.
With another award on his resume, Simmons will be looking to help keep the Longhorns’ national championship hopes alive in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, where they will take on Arizona State. Despite the higher expectations, his goals will remain the same.
” Regardless of the fact that I’m receiving this award, I still have things to work on, things to improve on, and I still have to get better each and every day.”