Colin Simmons Posts Sayin Pic with 🔥👀—Message Sent to Ohio State Before the War Starts

Texas Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons might not be a big talker, but when he posts something, the football world listens. And when he dropped a picture of newly named Ohio State starting quarterback Julian Sayin with nothing but a 🔥 and 👀 emoji combo? Yeah—that got people’s attention.

No caption. No rant. No quote. Just a clean photo of Sayin and two emoji that every college football fan understands by now: something hot is brewing, and everybody better be watching. Simmons, who’s quickly becoming one of the most dominant defensive players in the country, doesn’t need to say much—because that picture said it all. He’s locked in, he’s circling Sayin, and August 30th can’t come soon enough.

It’s not just some random social media post. This is the kind of subtle move that turns a regular Week 1 game into something personal. Ohio State vs. Texas was already one of the most anticipated season openers of the year. But now? Now it’s become a storyline filled with chess moves, quiet jabs, and a whole lot of pressure on a young quarterback stepping into the spotlight.

Sayin, a former five-star recruit who originally signed with Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, was officially named the Buckeyes’ starter earlier this week. While fans knew he was in the running, many still expected veteran Lincoln Kienholz to get the nod. Instead, the coaching staff made it clear: Sayin earned it. His talent, polish, and consistency in camp proved he’s ready to lead one of college football’s most demanding programs right out of the gate.

And the gate he’s walking through? It leads directly into a Texas defense that ranked among the best in the country last season, led by none other than Colin Simmons himself.

Simmons isn’t just any sophomore. He came in as a high-profile recruit, but he exceeded expectations almost immediately. Last year, he racked up nine sacks, multiple forced fumbles, and became the kind of player you have to gameplan around. He’s got freakish athleticism, an explosive first step, and a hunger that doesn’t quit. By the end of his freshman season, people weren’t asking if he could be a future first-rounder—they were wondering how high he’d go.

Now in year two, he’s taken things to another level. He switched his jersey number to No. 1—a signal to everyone that he’s stepping into a leadership role, and he’s not backing down from the spotlight. And this offseason, he hasn’t shied away from the fact that his eyes are set on breaking school sack records and leading Texas to the College Football Playoff. He’s bigger, faster, and more confident. He’s also way more dangerous.

So when Simmons posts a photo of the guy he’s about to chase around a football field, you better believe that’s not just coincidence.

There’s history here, too. Texas recruited Sayin back when he was a high school phenom in California. Head coach Steve Sarkisian was one of the first to offer him a scholarship, and Texas made a hard push to land him. But Sayin eventually went with Alabama, and after one year in Tuscaloosa, he transferred to Ohio State. No hard feelings—just business. Still, don’t think for a second that Sark and his staff forgot. And don’t think Simmons did either.

The 🔥 emoji? That could be seen as a little love, or maybe just an acknowledgment of Sayin’s status. The 👀? That’s pure football energy. That’s “I see you… and I’m coming for you.” And with that, the mental game began.

For Sayin, this is more than just his first start. This is stepping into the national spotlight against a top-ranked team with one of the nastiest defenses in the country. This is taking the reins of a team with national championship expectations and trying to justify all the hype. He’s got the talent. He’s got the mechanics. But the bullets haven’t started flying yet. In college football, looking good in camp is one thing—staring down Colin Simmons on 3rd and long is something else entirely.

Ohio State has a strong offensive line, and they’ll need every bit of it. Simmons isn’t the only weapon on that Texas front, but he’s the one that causes the most panic. He can rush from the outside, line up inside, and even drop into coverage when needed. But his bread and butter is getting after quarterbacks, and when he smells blood, he’s relentless.

What makes this battle even more fun is that Sayin isn’t your typical freshman. Even with limited college reps, he has a calm confidence to him that coaches rave about. He doesn’t get rattled easily, and he sees the field with the kind of clarity that’s rare for a young quarterback. He’ll need every ounce of that when he faces off against Texas. Because this won’t be a soft landing. It’s a baptism by fire, and the guy bringing the flames already posted your picture with 🔥👀.

The buildup to this game has been different from most Week 1 matchups. Usually, teams are trying to find their rhythm early, work out the kinks, maybe cruise past a lesser opponent. But not this time. Texas and Ohio State are both coming into this one loaded and ready. There’s no warm-up. There’s no easing in. It’s national championship stakes from the very first snap, and both teams know it.

And now the players are fueling it even more. Simmons may have only posted a photo, but it had the effect of a mic drop. He’s setting the tone. Letting Sayin know: you’re the guy now, and I’ve been watching. Sayin, for his part, hasn’t responded. But don’t be surprised if he’s circling this moment in his own head, waiting to answer not on social media—but on the field.

That’s the beauty of this kind of early-season collision. It’s not just about who’s more talented. It’s about who can handle the moment. Can Sayin manage the chaos and play clean football? Can Simmons live up to the noise and get home against a top-tier offensive line? Can one play flip the narrative?

One sack from Simmons could rattle Sayin. One deep touchdown from Sayin could silence the doubters. One mistake, one turnover, one moment—that could be the difference between a win and a loss, a Heisman campaign or a learning experience, a playoff run or a long climb back up.

Right now, Texas fans are loving every second of Simmons’ quiet confidence. Ohio State fans are hoping Sayin takes the post as fuel, not fear. And the rest of college football? We’re just lucky we get to watch it all unfold.

This is the kind of game that defines seasons. And thanks to one post from Simmons, it’s already got a little extra heat. Because when one of the country’s best pass rushers posts a picture of the quarterback he’s about to hunt down, with 🔥 and 👀? That’s not just a vibe—it’s a promise.

And the countdown to kickoff just got a whole lot louder.