Five-star EDGE recruit pledges to Texas over LSU and Miami due to 'elite' head coach

Colin Simmons is easily one of the biggest commitments in the Steve Sarkisian era of Texas Longhorns football. That's saying something, too, because we're talking about the coach who has landed the top recruit in the nation from the 2021 and 2023 classes.

Quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning are the jewels of Sarkisian's recruiting efforts in Austin so far, but Simmons is a huge commitment.

Ranked as the No. 1 EDGE recruit in the 2024 class, as well as a Top 10 player nationally, Simmons committed to Texas over the likes of LSU and Miami.

As far as what influenced his decision, it all came down to what Sarkisian brings to the table as the head coach in Austin.

"Head coach." a source told 247Sports regarding the difference in Top 3 for Simmons. "Elite."

Per Simmons himself, there's also an abundant opportunity at Texas.

“Life after football, networking and family. Being able to take care of my family is the most important thing to me,” Simmons told On3, speaking about some of the reasons he chose the Longhorns. "Honestly, they want me to come make an impact freshman year. They need me at the position. I’m coming home to make a statement headed into the SEC.”

Sarkisian still has to prove himself as an elite head coach on the level of the Nick Sabans, Kirby Smarts and Dabo Swinneys of the college football world, but he's certainly showing off his chops as a recruiter on the 2024 trail with the addition of Simmons.