At the collegiate level, there may be no more difficult position to develop than offensive and defensive linemen, both of which require strength and skill development before even taking the field.
That's why it was so impressive to see five-star true freshmen Collin Simmons and Dylan Stewart commit to the Texas Longhorns and South Carolina Gamecocks, respectively, in Week 2.
Simmons was a monster, recording six quarterback pressures, two stops and one sack in Week 2 while leading the Longhorns in just 16 pass rush snaps.
Simmons, who posted a 37.5 percent win percentage in Week 2 (per PFF), dominated a high-level opponent when Texas took on the 10th-ranked Michigan Wolverines, winning 31-12.
Simmons was quiet in Week 1, recording just five pass-rush snaps and one pressure, but came out big in his second collegiate game and solidified himself as Texas' top pass rusher as a true freshman.
Against Michigan, Simmons was almost exclusively in a pass rushing role, playing 21 total snaps, 16 of which were pass rushing, but it didn't take long for the five-star to make a quick impact for the Longhorns and is a player to rely on to apply pressure, an area Texas will look to improve on as a team.
Stewart, on the other hand, is truly a natural talent and was dominant again in Week 2. After recording six pressures, four stops, three sacks and two forced fumbles in South Carolina's 23-19 win over Old Dominion, the freshman led the team with three pressures and two stops in Week 2.
Stewart is already drawing double teams off the edge, which is phenomenal for any college defender, let alone a true freshman.
Through two games, Stewart has displayed impressive athleticism and flex, as well as a command of pass-rush moves and excellent technique. The 2024 freshman class is loaded with talent, but Stewart is likely to be the best true freshman available right now, regardless of position.
Being part of the SEC, the University of South Carolina has one of the toughest schedules in the country, and that tough schedule continues this week as they take on the LSU Tigers.
Stewart clearly caught the eye of head coach Brian Kelly, who heaped praise on the freshman during his weekly press conference on Monday.
“Stewart, the defensive end, is a pure pass rusher,” Kelly said. “That doesn't mean he can't defend the run. I'm not saying that. He's a guy you want out there to get after the quarterback. We've got to do a really good job and be disciplined on the drops. We've got to get the ball out on time because our edge guys are going to make sure [rush]”This is an SEC defense. They can get to the quarterback, and he especially can do that.”
Stewart has still been used sporadically at South Carolina as he eases into the team, making just 24 appearances in Week 2 after making 37 appearances in Week 1. But it's only taken the true freshman two weeks to turn national heads and he should be a force to be reckoned with this season.
