Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons has quickly developed into one of the most disruptive defensive prospects in college football. After producing back-to-back seasons of outstanding pass-rushing numbers, Simmons entered the 2026 campaign with the potential to become one of the first defensive players selected in the 2027 NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-3 and 246 pounds, Simmons combines explosive acceleration with the strength and technique needed to challenge offensive tackles. His ability to generate pressure has been evident since his freshman season, but his continued development has made him an even more intriguing prospect.
Simmons recorded nine sacks as a freshman in 2024 before leading the SEC with 12 sacks in 2025. He has continued that production into his junior season, recording eight sacks through Texas’ first four games of 2026, according to Pro Football Focus. His performance against Tennessee was particularly impressive, as PFF credited him with 10 pressures and six sacks across 36 pass-rushing snaps.
Simmons’ early production has strengthened his standing among the top prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft class. However, his evaluation involves more than his ability to reach the quarterback. Continuing to develop his pass-rushing repertoire and demonstrating his value as an every-down defender will be important as he prepares for the professional level.
Colin Simmons’ Strengths
Explosive First Step and Pass-Rushing Ability
Simmons’ most impressive trait is his ability to accelerate off the line of scrimmage. His first step can immediately put offensive tackles on the defensive, forcing them to react before they have established their positioning.
That explosiveness gives him multiple ways to attack opposing quarterbacks. He can threaten the outside shoulder with speed, force blockers to open their hips, and use the resulting space to work back toward the pocket.
His production reflects that ability. Simmons generated 46 pressures as a freshman in 2024 and increased that total to 59 in 2025, according to PFF. His pass-rushing grade also improved from 90.0 to 91.7 across those seasons.
His performance against Tennessee in September 2026 provided another example of his disruptive potential. PFF credited him with 10 pressures and six sacks across 36 pass-rushing snaps, demonstrating how quickly he can overwhelm opposing protection when he finds his rhythm.
Simmons’ burst off the line gives him a foundation that should translate well to the NFL. Offensive tackles will have to respect his speed, creating opportunities for him to incorporate additional moves and counterattacks as he develops.
Hand Usage and Pass-Rush Technique
Simmons is more than an explosive athlete who relies exclusively on speed. He has shown the ability to use his hands effectively, disrupt an offensive tackle’s balance, and change direction when his initial approach does not produce an opening.
His hand usage helps him turn his athletic advantages into actual pressure. Rather than simply running around blockers, Simmons can attack their positioning and create space through quick, forceful movements.
His development at Texas has been particularly encouraging. He became a productive pass rusher immediately as a freshman and increased his overall impact during his sophomore season. His 91.7 PFF pass-rush grade in 2025 reflected that continued growth.
Simmons can also redirect when a blocker anticipates his initial move. Pairing his outside speed rush with an inside counter forces tackles to defend more than one approach, making it harder to anticipate his next move.
Continuing to improve his timing and expand his collection of counters will help him become an even more complete pass rusher. His existing combination of explosiveness, hand usage, and production already gives him several ways to challenge NFL offensive tackles.
Motor, Athleticism, and Defensive Versatility
Simmons’ effort level is another major strength. He plays with consistent energy and can continue attacking blockers late in games, making him a threat even when an initial rush does not succeed.
Texas has highlighted his exceptional explosiveness and ability to maintain his speed throughout a game. He has reportedly reached 20.22 mph during a game, while his fourth-quarter performance against Oklahoma in 2025 demonstrated his ability to maintain a high level of speed late in a contest.
His physical testing also supports his athletic profile. Texas has highlighted a 335-pound power clean performed with exceptional bar velocity, illustrating the explosive strength he can generate despite his relatively compact edge-rusher frame.
His versatility adds another dimension to his profile. Simmons can line up on either side of the defensive formation and rush from different alignments, allowing defensive coordinators to create favorable matchups.
He also has the physical tools to contribute against the run. His quickness and strength can help him challenge blockers, pursue ball carriers, and disrupt plays before they develop. Continuing to apply those traits consistently across different defensive situations would increase his value at the next level.
Colin Simmons’ Weaknesses
Size and Length Against NFL Tackles
Simmons’ frame is one factor NFL teams will examine as they project him to the professional level. At 6-foot-3 and 246 pounds, he has sufficient bulk to compete at the next level, but he does not have the exceptional length of some of the league’s biggest edge defenders.
Longer offensive tackles may try to keep him at arm’s length and prevent him from getting close enough to use his preferred pass-rushing moves. When a blocker establishes control early, Simmons can have less room to generate the leverage and movement he needs to reach the quarterback.
His explosiveness helps offset that concern. He can threaten the outside shoulder before a tackle establishes a strong position, while his hand usage gives him ways to disengage when blockers make contact.
Simmons does not necessarily need to add significant weight to succeed in the NFL. However, continuing to develop his strength, leverage, and technique will help him handle different offensive tackle profiles.
His frame is not a defining weakness, but it makes winning the initial engagement particularly important. Consistently preventing larger blockers from controlling his positioning will help him sustain his pass-rushing production against professional competition.
Maintaining an Every-Down Role
Simmons’ pass-rushing ability is already a major strength, but continuing to develop as an every-down defender will be important as he prepares for the NFL.
Professional offenses will test edge defenders with different blocking schemes, including plays designed to neutralize their aggressiveness. Simmons must continue recognizing those concepts, maintaining his responsibilities, and using his athleticism without sacrificing his positioning.
His physical tools and experience against the run give him a strong foundation. Texas’ evaluation of his development also highlights his ability to maintain his motor and compete through demanding games.
The next step is demonstrating that he can remain effective across different situations rather than relying primarily on his ability to pressure the quarterback. Setting the edge, responding to misdirection, and maintaining discipline against different run concepts will help establish his value on early downs.
Simmons’ pass-rushing production gives him a high ceiling, while proving his value in all phases of the game could make him an even more attractive first-round prospect.
Expanding His Pass-Rush Repertoire
Simmons has been extremely productive with his explosiveness and ability to attack offensive tackles quickly. However, he will need to continue expanding his collection of pass-rushing moves to maintain that success against NFL competition.
Professional offensive tackles are experienced at handling speed rushers. They can use film study, positioning, and improved footwork to limit a defender’s preferred approach.
Simmons has already demonstrated the ability to use his hands and redirect when blockers anticipate his initial move. Developing those counters further will help him avoid becoming predictable.
He can also benefit from becoming more consistent when converting speed into power. If offensive tackles have to account for both his ability to win around the edge and his ability to attack through them, defending him becomes significantly more difficult.
This is less a question of whether Simmons has the necessary athleticism and more a question of how consistently he can use his full skill set. Refining his technique and developing additional counters could help him sustain his production against the best offensive linemen in the NFL.
NFL Player Comparison: Brian Burns
Brian Burns provides a useful stylistic comparison for Simmons because both edge defenders rely on explosive movement, speed, and the ability to threaten offensive tackles around the outside.
Like Burns, Simmons has the athleticism to create immediate problems for blockers. His first step allows him to attack the edge quickly, while his ability to change direction gives him opportunities to exploit a tackle who commits too aggressively to stopping his speed.
Both players also illustrate how an edge defender can create pressure without relying exclusively on overwhelming size. Quickness, leverage, and well-timed hand movements can allow a defender to challenge larger offensive linemen.
The comparison is based on their playing styles and physical approach rather than a prediction that Simmons will match Burns’ professional production. Simmons still needs to demonstrate that his technique and all-around defensive game can consistently hold up against NFL competition.
Burns provides an example of the value an explosive edge rusher can offer when his speed and pass-rushing ability translate to the professional level. Simmons has the potential to follow a similar stylistic path, although his eventual role and production will depend on his continued development.
2027 NFL Draft Outlook
Colin Simmons has the production and athletic traits to become one of the leading defensive prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. His explosive first step, improving pass-rushing technique, and relentless motor give him a strong foundation for success at the next level.
His first two seasons at Texas demonstrated consistent development. Simmons recorded nine sacks as a freshman before leading the SEC with 12 sacks in 2025. His performance against Tennessee in September 2026 further strengthened his case as an elite pass-rushing prospect.
The biggest questions surrounding Simmons involve his ability to handle longer offensive tackles, maintain his responsibilities against the run, and continue developing his pass-rushing repertoire. Those areas will be important as NFL teams evaluate whether he can become a complete three-down edge defender.
His production already stands out among the leading prospects in the class. PFF ranked him fourth overall on its October 2026 2027 NFL Draft Big Board, reflecting the high regard in which evaluators hold his potential.
Simmons still has the remainder of his junior season to strengthen his draft stock. Continued pass-rushing production, combined with evidence of progress in other areas, could help establish him as one of the first defensive players selected.
His combination of explosiveness, proven production, and competitive motor gives him the potential to become an impact NFL edge defender. If he continues refining his technique and proves he can contribute consistently in every phase of the game, Simmons has a strong case to remain among the premier prospects in the 2027 class.
