Florida Football Recruiting: Colin Simmons said “Turn the film on.” We did.

When we here at Hail Florida Hail evaluate prospects that Florida football is perusing, we try to do our own independent analysis. Sure we factor in what the four major industry leaders have to say, but we also like to watch the player’s film and give honest feedback.

When five-star edge rusher Colin Simmons posted on his timeline to “Put the film on,” it felt like a challenge.

Or as the children would say, bet.

But we did put the film on for Mr. Simmons and let’s just say he is a player that Billy Napier is going to want.

Florida Football: This is the way

Listed at 6’3″ and 225 pounds, Simmons is built more like a traditional linebacker than an edge rusher. Let’s get the obvious out of the way and state that for him to be a top-tier edge rusher in the SEC, he will need more size.

But that didn’t stop him from being an absolute wrecking ball as Duncanville High went 15-0 and won the Texas 6A-1 state title in 2022.

Most of his production is simply beating the opposing tackle around the edge. But he is so fast around the edge that tackles in Texas just didn’t have an answer for him.

The problem for those same tackles is that even when they do engage he has the ability to disengage and when they finally think they have a read on Simmons and try to beat him to the outside, he simply cuts in and beats them to the inside.

His motor is outstanding and his play recognition is great even when there is a ton of chaos around him.

Beyond his size, the other critique one could say is that because his motor is so high, you get the feeling once in college that more savvy QBs could step up in the pocket from him and escape out the back door.

Think of Brenton Cox early in his career.

Simmons is slated to visit Florida in April for the Spring Game. DJ Lagway will be there too and this is not a player that Billy Napier or Lagway want to let get away.