Longhorns Star Colin Simmons Is Thinking National Title, Not Just NFL

Colin Simmons could spend the 2026 Texas football season obsessing over sack totals, NFL mock drafts and his growing national profile. Instead, the Longhorns’ superstar edge rusher sounds focused on only one prize.

A national championship.

MORE: Arch Manning’s Cam Coleman Bond Could Make Texas Terrifying

Simmons enters his junior season as a potential top-10 selection in the 2027 NFL Draft and a legitimate candidate to become college football’s best defensive player.

He’s already one of its most destructive. The Dallas native recorded 43 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and an SEC-leading 12 sacks in 2025, earning first-team All-SEC and second-team All-America honors.

Those numbers explain the hype. His development as a leader may explain why Texas believes it can finish the job this season.

Simmons was once so relentless during practice that his quarterback pressures occasionally ruined the drill for everyone else.

Steve Sarkisian said plays had to be repeated because Simmons reached the quarterback before the offense and secondary could complete their assignments.

Now he’s learning when to unleash the chaos and when to let practice breathe.

“He’s really practicing like a pro right now,” Sarkisian said after describing Simmons intentionally rushing past the quarterback to allow the full play to continue.

That maturity could make an already terrifying player even more dangerous.

New Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is installing the aggressive, attacking mentality that fits Simmons perfectly. Instead of asking his premier pass rusher to become something different, Muschamp has encouraged him to play freely and trust his instincts.

“Just be myself, be you, go out there, have fun,” Simmons said of Muschamp’s message.

Simmons also refuses to separate his personal goals from the Longhorns’ larger mission.

“Honestly, my individual goals are the team goals,” he said. “Winning a national championship, making the playoffs, everything that comes with it.”

Texas will need that mentality during a punishing schedule featuring Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Tennessee and LSU.

Simmons admitted the trip to LSU carries extra meaning after considering the Tigers during his recruitment, but he insisted Texas won’t treat any opponent differently.

That edge extends off the field, too. Simmons has embraced his role as a team spokesman, supported teammates’ causes and emerged as one of the program’s most recognizable personalities.

MORE: Texas Transfer David Punch Will Make More Than LeBron James in 2026-27

He still talks. He still jokes. He still enjoys throwing a jab at an opponent.

The difference is that Simmons no longer feels like a gifted young player searching for attention. He looks like the heartbeat of a championship contender and the nightmare every quarterback on Texas’ schedule already sees coming.