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Stop Pressing: Encouragement to Simmons, Wingo and Arch (plus the fans)

by: RT Young09/08/25
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Colin Simmons (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

“You don’t get 10 sacks in one play. You play within the confines of the defense, you play within the confines of the other defensive linemen—when your rush attempts are there, how to play—and you apply the game plan.”

Steve Sarkisian’s encouragement to EDGE Colin Simmons is a helpful reminder to everyone cheering on Texas right now. At Monday’s press conference, Sark also focused a lot on the subject of “pressing.” It was mainly geared toward Ryan Wingo and Simmons, two players he said were “trying a little too hard.” I think the idea extends to Arch Manning as well.

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Wingo and Manning have struggled with their connection, while Simmons leads the country in penalties (with five) through two games. The idea that two talented sophomores could become net negatives this early sure wasn’t on many Longhorn fans’ bingo cards before the season. In fact, both were central to the sky-high expectations for Texas in 2025. And none contributed more to those hopes than Manning. The young quarterback had a negative day in Columbus but bounced back against San Jose State with five touchdowns. Still, the redshirt sophomore looked like he was in a hurry, calling his own performance “sloppy.”

Though they are all preternaturally gifted and have flashed in spectacular ways, the fans who consume Texas content every day and followed their blue-chip recruitments lose sight of the fact they’re only in their second meaningful season of playing time. It feels like they’ve been in our lives forever, but they haven’t actually worn burnt orange for very long. 

So, heed the head coach’s words of wisdom.

I’ve seen many fans say they’ve “adjusted their expectations for the season” based on the first two games. Why? Has Sark? Has the locker room? Not a chance. But the wisest players and coaches in that room know what Sarkisian said is true. Not only can Simmons not exceed his 2024 sack total on one pass rush, but Longhorn fans can’t get all their questions answered through two games.

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Even if Manning were still the odds-on favorite for the Heisman Trophy, if Wingo were lighting the world on fire, or if Simmons had eight sacks, the work wouldn’t be finished. The season can’t be won already. So take heart: three of the Longhorns’ key players are already learning lessons that will prove invaluable later on.

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