Texas defensive end Colin Simmons is like any other college freshman walking into Royal-Memorial Stadium.

“Man, like, I was nervous,” Simmons said Saturday. “I feel like every freshman was nervous the first time walking on the field with over 100,000 people in the field.”

Simmons sure isn’t playing like a freshman. The two-time state champion from Duncanville already has two sacks, three quarterback pressures and three tackles for loss, all team highs, in three games in burnt orange.

A team that needed someone to step into the void left by NFL draft picks T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy may have found a future star.

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“Honestly, I’m getting more comfortable game by game, you know, trusting in my eyes, trusting in my keys, trusting in my coach, the (defensive coordinator), my edge coach, and just honestly trusting in myself, which is the main thing,” Simmons said.

Simmons praised teammates like veterans Ethan Burke, Barryn Sorrell, Justice Finkley and even senior newcomer Trey Moore. “It’s amazing. I love my teammates,” Simmons said. “Just learning from them and being around them, I’m really starting to learn the culture around here.”

The only statistic that truly matters is points allowed. Texas has allowed 19 points in the first three games, tying the lowest season-starting total since 1983. The Horns also allowed just 19 points in the first three games of the 1982 season.

But in running up a 3-0 start this year, the Horns didn’t have many sacks or quarterback hurries to speak of, at least not statistically. Colorado State’s offense was designed to get rid of the ball quickly. Michigan ran the ball, and their quarterbacks scrambled around avoiding tacklers.

Simmons got the team’s only sack against the Wolverines. He had another one against UTSA while Colton Vasek and Liona Lefau got on the tote board as well.

“It all starts during the week, how we practice, and it shows on Saturdays,” defensive tackle Alfred Collins said. “We’re a very deep defense, and there’s no fall off anywhere at any position, and it just shows the hard work and details we take seriously, so during the week we see that.”

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has never expressed panic or concern about the pass rush. Losing an Outland Trophy winner, like Sweat, and a first-round draft pick, like Murphy, leads to obvious questions, though. “How are we going to do this?,” Sarkisian asked rhetorically Saturday.

Moore transferred from UTSA after leading the Roadrunners in sacks last season. Simmons was ranked the No. 1 edge rusher recruiter in the state of Texas last year. Sarkisian also pointed out that moving Anthony Hill Jr. to middle linebacker helped.

“I think that’s one thing about the defense right now,” Sarkisian said. “It’s not about one group or one player that’s just dominating. I think we’re playing really well team defense, and a bunch of different guys are making plays.

“A lot of different people are getting production for us,” he added. “We’re not having to rely on one guy. We’re just playing the scheme; we’re playing hard, fast, and physical right now.”

Just don’t go too fast, freshman. Don’t overrun the play, lose your assignment and miss the quarterback.

“Honestly was just trying to pray to God and tell him, just calm my nerves down,” Simmons said. “It’s funny, but honestly, it’s true. Like, calm me down and just let me be level-minded so I don’t bust and do my assignment, honestly. So, the more I do my assignment, the more I don't bust, the more I don’t mess up is the more time I play.”