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Texas Longhorns LB Colin Simmons Semifinalist for Shaun Alexander Award

Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons has put together a strong freshman season.
Zach Dimmitt|
Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (11) exits the field at halftime as the Texas Longhorns take on Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.
Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (11) exits the field at halftime as the Texas Longhorns take on Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. | Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Texas Longhorns

AUSTIN -- Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons has proven he's one of the top freshman in the country this season and is now being recognized accordingly.

The Maxwell Football Club annouced Wednesday that Simmons is one of 14 finalists for the Shaun Alexander Award, which is given annually to the top freshman in college football. Texas freshman receiver Ryan Wingo was on the Shaun Alexander preseason watchlist but did not make the cut as a semifinalist.

Three finalists for the award will be revealed on Dec. 4 with the winner announced on Dec. 26.

Here's the full list of semifinalists:

- Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama

- Jordan Seaton, OL, Colorado

- KJ Bolden, Safety, Georgia

- Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville

- Koi Perich, Safety, Minnesota

- Kerry Brown, Safety, Minnesota

- Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska

- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

- Anthony Donkoh, OL, Penn State

- Eli Holstein, QB, Pittsburgh

- Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina

- Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee

- Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas

- Josiah Trotter, LB, West Virginia

Simmons has been productive as a pass rusher during his first collegiate season. He's tallied 23 total tackles (15 solo), four sacks and a forced fumble this year. He had two sacks in Texas' 35-13 win over Mississippi State on Sept. 28.

Williams and Smith are heavy frontrunners for the award, but Simmons could certainly play his way into that third finalist spot if he finishes the season strong.

He'll have a chance to add a strong performance to his freshman season resume when No. 5 Texas hosts the Florida Gators on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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