Top Ten Opposing Players: Marcel Reed and Colin Simmons
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This summer we’ll be exploring the top 10 offensive and defensive players Mizzou football is slated to face this fall. We’re not ranking them 1-10, it’s much more scientific then that (or linguistic since we are just ordering them alphabetically.) As we enter the home stretch for the 2026 TTOP exercise, we’re diving into an Aggie who has already burned Mizzou once (or twice) and a dominant Longhorn defender. You can also take a look at our previous TTOP here:
Mario Craver and Leroy Harris III
Trinidad Chambliss and Peyton Bowen
Arch Manning and Jelani McDonald
John Mateer and Ellis Robinson
Marcel Reed
School: Texas A&M
Position: QB
Class: RS Junior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185 lbs.
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
What he’s done
Marcel Reed arrived at Texas A&M as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country out of Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. At 6-1 and 185 lbs., he possesses the athleticism to create with his legs while also demonstrating the arm talent necessary to challenge defenses at every level of the field.
After seeing action as a freshman, Reed became the Aggies’ full-time starter in 2025 and put together one of the better quarterback seasons in the SEC. Last year, Reed completed 62% of his passes for 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while adding 493 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Those numbers showcased the dual-threat ability that has made him so difficult for opposing defenses to contain.
By November, Reed had pushed himself firmly into the Heisman Trophy conversation as Texas A&M climbed into the College Football Playoff race. His combination of efficient passing and timely rushing made him one of the most productive quarterbacks in the country.
The momentum did not last, however, as Reed struggled down the stretch against rival Texas in the regular-season finale and never found his rhythm in Texas A&M’s first-round College Football Playoff loss to Miami. Those performances knocked him out of the Heisman race, but they should not overshadow what was otherwise an outstanding sophomore campaign.
What He’ll Do
Reed enters 2026 with the opportunity to prove that his late-season slump was the exception rather than the rule.
Everything about his game suggests he has the tools to compete for first-team All-SEC honors. He is comfortable operating from the pocket, dangerous outside of it and athletic enough to extend drives when plays break down.
The biggest challenge will be maintaining consistency throughout an entire season.
Quarterbacks are often judged by how they perform in the biggest moments, and Reed now has another opportunity to show he can lead Texas A&M through the stretch run against elite competition. If he plays the way he did for much of last season, another Heisman campaign is well within reach.
With another offseason of development and an experienced supporting cast around him, Reed enters the year as one of the SEC’s premier quarterbacks.
Mizzou Matchup
Few opposing quarterbacks have frustrated Eli Drinkwitz quite like Reed, even when Reed was not the one taking snaps. The first came in 2024 when, leading up to Mizzou’s trip to College Station, much of the discussion centered on Reed potentially starting at quarterback for the Aggies as he had done the previous few weeks. The Tigers spent valuable preparation time accounting for his dual-threat skill set, only for Connor Weigman to get the start instead. Whether intentional or not, the uncertainty complicated Mizzou’s game plan and contributed to one of the Tigers’ most lopsided losses of the season.
The second came last year when Reed was on the field and efficiently dissected Corey Batoon’s defense. Reed completed 20 for 29 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. He consistently made the right reads while also using his mobility to keep Mizzou from generating consistent pressure. He rarely forced throws and controlled the game from start to finish.
Now the Tigers will get another opportunity when Texas A&M returns to Columbia in 2026. Containing Reed starts with limiting explosive plays while forcing him to sustain long drives. Corey Batoon’s defense has traditionally excelled at disguising coverages and making quarterbacks hold the football, but Reed has already shown he can process quickly and capitalize on mistakes.
For Chip Lindsey and Austin Simmons, controlling possession may be just as important as stopping Reed. The fewer opportunities Texas A&M’s quarterback has with the football, the better Mizzou’s chances of avenging two frustrating blowout losses.
Colin Simmons
School: Texas
Position: DE
Class: Junior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 246 lbs.
Hometown: Duncanville, Texas
What He’s Done
Some players need time to adjust to college football. Colin Simmons was never one of them.
The former five-star recruit immediately became one of the SEC’s most disruptive defenders as a true freshman and has only improved since arriving in Austin. Entering the 2026 season, Simmons is widely regarded as one of the best edge rushers in college football and a legitimate contender for every major defensive award.
As a true freshman in 2024, he burst onto the scene with nine sacks, three forced fumbles and a relentless ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Instead of experiencing a sophomore slump, Simmons elevated his game even further in 2025. He finished with 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass deflections while earning first-team All-SEC honors. His combination of explosiveness off the edge, refined pass-rushing technique and relentless motor made him one of the most productive defensive linemen in the country.
Simmons consistently impacted games beyond the box score. Offensive coordinators routinely devoted extra attention to slowing him with double teams, tight end help and running back chip blocks, yet he still found ways to disrupt opposing offenses. Few defenders changed game plans as dramatically as Simmons did throughout the season.
What He’ll Do
There is little mystery surrounding Simmons entering 2026. He is expected to be one of the nation’s premier defensive players and is a near-unanimous preseason All-American. With another offseason of development, Simmons has all the tools to establish himself as the best edge rusher in college football.
The challenge for opposing offenses will be finding a way to slow him without creating problems elsewhere. Texas is loaded with talent across its defensive front, making it difficult to dedicate multiple blockers to Simmons on every passing down.
His ceiling extends well beyond conference honors. If he produces another double-digit sack season while helping Texas compete for an SEC championship and College Football Playoff berth, Simmons will be firmly in the conversation for national defensive player of the year honors and could hear his name called very early in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Mizzou Matchup
When Texas travels to Columbia for Mizzou’s first conference meeting with the Longhorns in 15 years, slowing Simmons will be one of the Tigers’ biggest priorities.
Colin Simmons has the burst to win around the edge, the power to collapse the pocket and the instincts to finish plays when quarterbacks try to escape.The Tigers cannot afford to leave their tackles isolated against him throughout the afternoon, even with the sky-high expectations for Cayden Green this year. Expect Mizzou to vary its protections, use tight ends and running backs in pass protection and emphasize a quick passing game to prevent Simmons from consistently affecting the pocket.
The matchup also places added importance on Mizzou’s running game. Sustaining success on the ground can slow an aggressive pass rush and keep Simmons from attacking obvious passing situations. If the Tigers establish the run early, they can force Texas to play a more balanced defensive game.
If they cannot, Simmons has already shown over the past two seasons that he possesses the talent to take over games by himself, making him one of the most dangerous players Mizzou will face all season.
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