College football is basically built on three things: absurdly loud stadiums, petty rivalries, and social media posts that people read way too much into. In August 2025, we got a perfect dose of all three. Texas star edge rusher Colin Simmons decided to light a fire under the Ohio State Buckeyes without saying a single word.
It was subtle.
Actually, it was mostly just a repost. But in the world of elite college football, a repost is rarely just a repost. When Ohio State officially named Julian Sayin as their starting quarterback for the 2025 season, Simmons was waiting. He took the Buckeyes' official graphic, slapped it on his Instagram story, and let the silence do the heavy lifting. No caption. No emojis. Just the image of the guy he was scheduled to hunt in Week 1.
The Story Behind the Colin Simmons Message to Ohio State Quarterback
You’ve gotta understand the context here to see why people lost their minds. Texas and Ohio State aren't just two random blue bloods; they’ve been on a collision course for a minute now. The Buckeyes had just knocked the Longhorns out of the College Football Playoff in the Cotton Bowl the previous season on their way to a national title. Simmons, who was a monster as a freshman with nine sacks and a boatload of tackles for loss, clearly hadn't forgotten that 28-14 loss.
He’s a predator on the field. That’s his job.
So, when Ryan Day finally ended the quarterback battle between Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz, Simmons saw his target. Fans on Twitter (or X, whatever you're calling it this week) immediately went into a frenzy. Was it a threat? Was it a sign of respect? Most people figured it was Simmons basically saying, "Welcome to the job, kid. I'll see you in Columbus."
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Sayin isn't exactly a nobody, though. He was the number two quarterback recruit in his class and a transfer from Alabama after Nick Saban retired. He’s talented, sure, but he was heading into the biggest game of his life against a guy who looks like a future top-five NFL draft pick.
What Simmons actually said when the cameras turned on
About a week after the post went viral, the media finally got a chance to ask Simmons what he was thinking. Honestly, he tried to play it cool. It was sort of a classic "who, me?" moment.
"Honestly, I'm just excited that they chose a quarterback," Simmons told reporters during a media availability in Austin. He followed it up by saying there was "no target" on Sayin, but then he couldn't help himself. He added, "I'm just glad they have a quarterback that I'm ready to sack."
That’s the quote. That’s the real Colin Simmons message to Ohio State quarterback. It wasn't about malice; it was about the pure, unadulterated hunger of a defensive end who wants to disrupt everything in his path. He wasn't trolling Sayin’s ability. He was celebrating the fact that the "scouting" phase was over and the "hunting" phase could begin.
Why the message backfired at "The Shoe"
Talk is cheap, and unfortunately for the Longhorns, the Buckeyes' offensive line apparently keeps receipts. When the two teams finally met on August 30, 2025, at Ohio Stadium, the "message" didn't exactly translate to the stat sheet.
Ohio State's front wall made sure Simmons was a non-factor for most of the afternoon.
- Final Stats: Simmons finished the game with just one solo tackle.
- Pressure: Julian Sayin was only pressured once the entire game.
- The Result: Ohio State won the game and jumped to the No. 1 spot in the polls.
It’s one of those "be careful what you wish for" situations. Simmons is an incredible athlete, maybe the best edge rusher in the country, but the Buckeyes used that Instagram post as literal bulletin board material. They played with a chip on their shoulder. They kept Sayin upright, and the young quarterback played well enough to secure a massive win for Columbus.
Interestingly, some people confuse this story with Josh Simmons, the Ohio State left tackle who was recovering from a knee injury around the same time. While Josh was busy trying to get back for his NFL Combine workout, Colin was the one making noise on social media. Different Simmons, different side of the ball, very different outcomes that weekend.
How to handle social media in the NIL era
If you're an athlete or just a die-hard fan watching these dramas unfold, there are a few takeaways from the whole Colin Simmons saga. It's not just about football; it's about brand management and the psychological game of sports.
- Context is king. A repost without a caption is a blank canvas. People will paint whatever narrative they want on it. If you're going to post, realize you're losing control of the story the second you hit "share."
- Back it up. If you're going to put a target on a quarterback's back, you've got to hit the target. Simmons is still an elite player, but that specific game will always be the one where the "talk" didn't match the "walk."
- The Buckeyes don't forget. Ohio State's culture under Ryan Day has become increasingly focused on "us against the world." Giving them a reason to feel disrespected is usually a bad tactical move.
The rivalry between these two programs is only getting hotter. With Texas now a powerhouse in the SEC and Ohio State defending its crown, these social media "messages" are going to keep happening. Just keep your eyes on the actual games. That's where the real talking happens, usually at about 100 miles per hour in the backfield.
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If you're following the Buckeyes this season, keep a close watch on how Julian Sayin handles the pressure of the spotlight. He survived Colin Simmons, but the Big Ten schedule doesn't get any easier from here. Check out the latest defensive schemes Big Ten teams are using to neutralize elite edge rushers—it’s the only way to stay ahead of the game.