Texas Football true freshman EDGE Colin Simmonshas been named the 2024 winner of the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Thursday. Simmons is the program’s first recipient of the award in its seven-year history.
“We are excited to welcome (Colin) as our 7th Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award winner,” Alexander said. “This was the closest race in the award’s history, and we know that we have picked a great winner. Colin is a perfect representative for the Shaun Alexander FPOY award – great talent, great character, great ambassador to the University of Texas, and we believe he is a legend, a future superstar in the NFL.
“I was very excited when I found out. I was so excited, I couldn’t even let Mr. Alexander get his words out, and I had to hurry up and show my mother who was calling,” Simmons said. “It’s such an amazing honor, and I appreciate it so much. 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. I want to say thank you to Shaun Alexander for giving me the opportunity to be a finalist for this award, knowing the other finalists are great players from around the country, and most importantly, I want to give thanks to my family and to God.
“I had just pulled up to my auntie’s house for Christmas Day, and he called me and said, ‘You know what it means when I call you on Christmas Day.’ I was wondering what he was talking about, and then he told me I won. We had talked before because he talks to all of the finalists, and it means a lot that he takes his time and gets to know us outside of the uniform and that he cares so much and is so involved. For him to relate to me and gain a relationship through 30 minutes of his time, it was incredible. I appreciate it so much, and something like this just motivates you that much more. 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.”
The Dallas native was also named to the SEC’s All-Freshman Team on Dec. 12.
In his first season on the Forty Acres, Simmons has been an immediate spark on Texas’ defense. The Longhorns boast one of the nation’s most elite and dominant defenses in 2024. Texas leads the FBS in turnovers gained (29) and passes intercepted (20). In addition, UT ranks No. 2 in the FBS in scoring defense (13.3 ppg), team passing efficiency defense (100.38) and passing yardsa llowed (156.9). Texas sits third in the FBS in total defense (261.1), fifth in third-down conversion percentage defense (30.2), sixth in red zone defense (71) and 10th in rushing defense (104.2). UT shut out opponents in the first half in three of the last four games to cap the regular season – all conference opponents. The Horns finished the regular season giving up just four passing touchdowns – which tied with Ohio State for the fewest in the FBS.
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Colin Simmons INT vs. Clemson (12/21/2024)Freshman EDGE Colin Simmons and teammates celebrate following his interception in the second quarter vs. Clemson on Dec. 21.
No. 4/4/3 Football’s Simmons wins 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award
The true freshman EDGE becomes the program’s first Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year recipient.
12.26.2024
By: Grace Tafolla
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AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football true freshman EDGE Colin Simmons has been named the 2024 winner of the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Thursday. Simmons is the program’s first recipient of the award in its seven-year history.
“We are excited to welcome (Colin) as our 7th Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award winner,” Alexander said. “This was the closest race in the award’s history, and we know that we have picked a great winner. Colin is a perfect representative for the Shaun Alexander FPOY award – great talent, great character, great ambassador to the University of Texas, and we believe he is a legend, a future superstar in the NFL.”
“I was very excited when I found out. I was so excited, I couldn’t even let Mr. Alexander get his words out, and I had to hurry up and show my mother who was calling,” Simmons said. “It’s such an amazing honor, and I appreciate it so much. 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. I want to say thank you to Shaun Alexander for giving me the opportunity to be a finalist for this award, knowing the other finalists are great players from around the country, and most importantly, I want to give thanks to my family and to God.
“I had just pulled up to my auntie’s house for Christmas Day, and he called me and said, ‘You know what it means when I call you on Christmas Day.’ I was wondering what he was talking about, and then he told me I won. We had talked before because he talks to all of the finalists, and it means a lot that he takes his time and gets to know us outside of the uniform and that he cares so much and is so involved. For him to relate to me and gain a relationship through 30 minutes of his time, it was incredible. I appreciate it so much, and something like this just motivates you that much more. 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.”
The Dallas native was also named to the SEC’s All-Freshman Team on Dec. 12.
In his first season on the Forty Acres, Simmons has been an immediate spark on Texas’ defense. The Longhorns boast one of the nation’s most elite and dominant defenses in 2024. Texas leads the FBS in turnovers gained (29) and passes intercepted (20). In addition, UT ranks No. 2 in the FBS in scoring defense (13.3 ppg), team passing efficiency defense (100.38) and passing yards allowed (156.9). Texas sits third in the FBS in total defense (261.1), fifth in third-down conversion percentage defense (30.2), sixth in red zone defense (71) and 10th in rushing defense (104.2). UT shut out opponents in the first half in three of the last four games to cap the regular season – all conference opponents. The Horns finished the regular season giving up just four passing touchdowns – which tied with Ohio State for the fewest in the FBS.
On the season, Simmons has appeared in all 14 games and leads the team in sacks (8.0-60) while ranking second in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback hurries (9) and forced fumbles (3). The Dallas native leads all FBS freshmen in total sacks and ranks second in sacks per game (0.57). His eight sacks are the third-most by a Texas freshman in program single-season history.
In Texas’ 31-12 road win at No. 10/9 Michigan on Sept. 7, Simmons combined for solo sack for a loss of two yards and a quarterback hurry. He followed up his performance vs. the Wolverines with a six-tackle (four solo) effort that included two tackles for a loss of eight yards, one sack for a loss of seven yards and a quarterback hurry. In UT’s SEC opener that resulted in a 35-13 decision against Mississippi State on Sept. 28, Simmons logged a season-high seven tackles (six solo), three tackles for a loss of 15 yards, including two sacks for a loss of 14 yards and a forced fumble. Simmons had five tackles (two solo), including 1.5 tackles for a loss of four yards, in the 34-3 win vs. No. 18/16 Oklahoma on Oct. 12. He had a dominant outing in the Horns’ 20-10 road win at Arkansas on Nov. 16 where he compiled three stops, including two sacks for a loss of 18 yards. He followed suit with another standout effort in UT’s home regular season finale win against Kentucky on Nov. 23, recording two tackles for a loss of 10 yards, including a sack for a loss of eight, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. In Texas’ 17-7 road win at No. 20/19/20 Texas A&M, Simmons gathered five tackles (four solo). In the SEC Championship game against Georgia on Dec. 7, Simmons registered two solo tackles, including one sack for a loss of 11 yards, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry. Simmons helped Texas claim a 38-24 victory over No. 16 and 12th-seeded Clemson in the College Football Playoff First Round on Dec. 21. Simmons finished with 1 tackle, including a 0.5 tackle for a loss of one yard, and recorded his first career interception to go along with a quarterback hurry. Simmons picked off Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik with 5:55 remaining in the second quarter and became the 12th Longhorn to record an interception this season. With the interception, Texas has a takeaway in 22-straight games which ties for the longest active streak in the FBS.
