Biles, Simmons named Walter Camp semifinalists

Texas senior linebacker Rasheem Biles and junior EDGE Colin Simmons were named Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalists Wednesday, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced. Both are first-time semifinalists and are among 20 players still under consideration.

Texas is one of four programs with two semifinalists. The award, the fourth-oldest individual honor in college football, has gone to a Longhorn three times: Ricky Williams in 1998 and Colt McCoy in 2008 and 2009.

Biles has started all nine games and leads Texas with 67 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and 10 quarterback hurries. He also has 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, and his three interceptions are the most by an SEC linebacker this season.

His biggest statistical performance came in a 31-3 win over Mississippi State on Oct. 31. Biles recorded eight tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles as Texas held the Bulldogs to three points.

Simmons has 10.5 sacks and 16.0 tackles for loss across seven appearances and six starts. He leads the FBS in sacks per game at 1.50 and tackles for loss per game at 2.29, while tying for the national lead in total sacks, solo sacks and tackles for loss.

Simmons set Texas’ single-game record with 5.5 sacks. Texas won 20-17 at Tennessee on Sept. 26. That total tied the SEC single-game record set by Mississippi State’s Greg Favors against Ole Miss in 1996. Simmons later missed the Ole Miss and Mississippi State games because of injury before returning Nov. 7 in a road victory at Missouri.

Biles and Simmons have helped Texas rank 10th in the FBS in total defense at 280.1 yards per game and 19th in scoring defense at 17.4 points per game. The Longhorns also rank 13th nationally with 3.00 sacks per game.

The award will be decided by 138 FBS head coaches and sports information directors later in November. Five finalists will be named later this month, with the winner announced Dec. 11 during the ESPN College Football Awards Show.

Why it matters

Texas is one of four programs with two semifinalists. Biles leads the Longhorns in tackles, while Simmons leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss.

What to watch next

Texas visits No. 24/22/21 LSU at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 14, at Tiger Stadium. Five Walter Camp finalists will be announced later in November.