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Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian Thinks Former 5-Star is 'Trying' Too Hard’

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cami Griffin | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 3:21 PM ET

The Texas Longhorns have one of the best defensive players in the nation on their roster for the 2025 college football season.

Expectations were notably high for Texas edge Colin Simmons this year. Many national media networks tabbed him the top defensive player in the SEC and the former five-star was named an AP Preseason First-Team All-American.

The high expectations followed a fantastic freshman campaign. Simmons won the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award in 2024 after recording nine sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and 39 tackles.

Unfortunately, Simmons has underwhelmed the first two weeks of the season. There's plenty of time left for Simmons to turn it around and live up to the preseason hype, but his performances over the last two weeks are concerning.

Simmons' struggles are concerning enough that head coach Steve Sarkisian told the media on Monday that the coaching staff intentionally didn't start him in the second half against San Jose State in Week 2.

"I think he's leading the country in penalties right now with five," Sarkisian said. "I don't think he thought after two games, that would be what he'd be leading the country in." The fifth-year head coach also stated that Simmons is "trying a little too hard" when discussing his unnecessary penalties over two games.

Simmons has recorded five total tackles, two quarterback hurries and 0.5 sacks so far this season. He'll have a couple of favorable matchups against UTEP and Sam Houston State over the next two weeks to right the ship before conference play begins.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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