Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman Football Player of the Year on Thursday afternoon.
The award, which has been handed out since 2018, goes to college football’s most outstanding freshman each season. Previous winners include former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, former Alabama linebacker Will Anderson, former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers and former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
Here’s the official announcement:
Simmons has been exceptional so far this season for the Longhorns. He’s racked up 39 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 8 sacks to this point in his true freshman campaign. He’s also recorded 1 interception and 3 forced fumbles.
A former 5-star prospect, Simmons has been a big reason why Texas has advanced to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff this year. He leads all Texas defensive players in sacks and is second on the team in tackles for loss entering next week’s quarterfinal matchup against Arizona State.
The award is named for former Alabama running back Shaun Alexander, who rushed for a staggering 7.6 yards per attempt as a freshman from the Crimson Tide in 1996. He went on to have a very successful NFL career as well, mostly with the Seattle Seahawks.
Simmons and the Longhorns will be in action again on New Year’s Day against Arizona State in the College Football Playoff.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
