Colin Simmons, Sammy Brown & David Stone | Elite Defenders to Watch

Few things change a football game faster than a defensive player who lives in the opponent's backfield. Colin Simmons, the Texas Longhorns edge rusher and former Duncanville standout, has built that reputation into something opposing offensive coordinators game-plan around every week. Double teams are routine. Quarterbacks feel him coming before the snap. With NFL draft boards projected to take notice next spring, Simmons is emerging as one of the most consequential pass rushers in college football.

At Clemson, linebacker Sammy Brown brings a versatility that his high school coaches in Jefferson, Georgia still talk about. A two-time state wrestling champion who also competed in the 100-meter dash and long jump, Brown was a two-way contributor for Jefferson Football — lining up at running back, wide receiver, and linebacker depending on what the team needed. That rare athleticism has translated directly to the college level, where his ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes him a cornerstone of Clemson's defensive identity and a key figure in any College Football Playoff aspirations.

In Norman, David Stone returns to the Oklahoma Sooners as one of the nation's premier defensive linemen. An Oklahoma native who sharpened his skills at the nationally renowned IMG Academy in Florida, Stone has grown into a team leader whose presence commands respect from teammates and opponents alike. Beyond the on-field production, Stone has spoken openly about his growth as a person — motivated by family and a clear sense of purpose that extends well beyond the game itself.