Colin Simmons can get on track by following Trey Moore's 2024 example

Around this time last year, Texas fans were wondering what was going on with Trey Moore. One of the Longhorns’ prized transfer portal pickups and a player Nick Saban wanted to bring to Alabama before he elected to retire had not made much of an impact on the stat sheet.

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Through three games last year, Moore had six total tackles with zero for loss. His highest Pro Football Focus game score was 70.0 against Michigan. He played in 92 snaps in those three contests, more than enough data for a lot of fans to wonder if the UTSA transfer and 2023 American Athletic Conference defensive player of the year was a dud.

A similar start to the season has the college football world wondering what’s going on with Colin Simmons. Simmons was splitting time with Moore at the Buck position last year, but in 2025 Simmons is the starter at the weakside EDGE spot in Texas’ defense. In that role, he has played well but he has not quite lived up to the extremely lofty expectations many placed on him ahead of his sophomore campaign.

In 2025, Simmons has five total tackles with 0.5 sacks. His highest rated game according to PFF is a 71.4 he posted last Saturday against UTEP. In 92 snaps, Simmons has not had the statistical impact many hoped to see from the former five-star.

Steve Sarkisian isn’t concerned about the lack of counting stats for Simmons. Nor is he concerned about the four penalties his star EDGE has been flagged for this year. Sarkisian made sure to note Simmons “practiced his ass off” on Wednesday during a Thursday media availability. Those are signs Sarkisian believes good things are coming, just as they did for Moore last season.

Sarkisian identified opponents’ desires not to have to block players like Simmons and other members of the Texas defensive front for extended amounts of time as a reason why the Longhorns’ No. 1 hasn’t filled up the stat sheet. Ohio State played Simmons conventionally and did so well, but there weren’t a ton of opportunities for him.

San Jose State and UTEP? They relied on quick passing or other methods to keep the pass-rush opportunities for Simmons and company to a minimum. Simmons has played well against the run in 2025, seeing a higher volume of standard down snaps compared to 2024. But the opportunities to wreak havoc haven’t been there as often as he’d like.

“Like we’ve explained to Colin, when you’re good people are going to try to neutralize you,” Sarkisian said. “You have to have a plan to beat how they’re trying to neutralize you. Part of that is having that poise and composure to stay onside. Part of that is not to get frustrated when you’re not getting home and stay disciplined within the defense. Part of that is maximizing your opportunities when you do get them.”

Sam Houston may do a lot of what SJSU and UTEP did. The Bearkats utilize an Air Raid system and would much prefer not to have to block a player like Simmons for three or four seconds or have to keep him away from the quarterback on 3rd and long. Moore went through something similar last year as the Longhorns played through and concluded their non-conference slate. A one-tackle performance against UTSA in Texas’ final game before SEC play did little to remove questions about the Smithson Valley product.

But then, Moore picked it up. He continued to play well even without recording counting stats for a couple more games. Then, he recovered a fumble against Vanderbilt. After Texas got home from Nashville, he had 10 TFL across the Longhorns’ final eight games. He notched 6.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, and recovered another ball on the ground in that same timespan. He unquestionably played better football as Texas moved past non-conference play.

Simmons was on a similar track. Seven of his nine sacks came after non-conference play, as did 11 of his 14 tackles for loss. Sarkisian has seen Simmons pick it up as the season goes on before. He believes he’ll see it again.

“We all know as we start to move into the season here down the road in a couple weeks, people are going to try to play a little bit more traditionally, take their shots, and do their things,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve got to be ready to execute at a high level when that comes.”

With one more opponent left for Texas in the non-conference portion of the season, one that doesn’t want to see Simmons break any records against them, the best may be yet to come for the preseason All-American. Simmons can start his path toward his record-setting benchmarks this week by making sure he plays the game Sarkisian, Pete Kwiatkowski, and company want him to play. In addition, he can get on the way to elite play like Moore did last year by doing what’s asked of him and not pressing too much before the snap, during the play, and after the whistle.

“Right now, it’s about am I playing with maximum effort? Am I prepared really well mentally, physically and emotionally? Am I playing within the scheme of the defense with all 11 guys?” Sarkisian said. “And then have faith when my opportunities do come I’ll be in the right spot to make my plays. The flow of the season is what it is, we’ve got a long way to go. Colin is more than equipped to have a great season for us. Not a good one, a great one. Looking forward to him to take it to another level.”