In the Longhorns' loss to Florida on Saturday, they lost a key piece in Colin Simmons, who suffered a high-ankle sprain. With the star linebacker considered week to week, Texas will need someone to step up and create chaos on defense in his place. One player they will rely on heavily is Richard Wesley.
Through the Longhorns' first six games, Wesley has recorded seven tackles. Although his playing time has been limited, he has made the most of his opportunities, showing why he was a highly regarded recruit. Now, with Colin Simmons sidelined, Wesley will take on a bigger role as the Longhorns look to keep their playoff hopes alive and potentially make a national championship run.
Texas freshman DE Richard Wesley (99) fluidly comes off a block and
makes a tackle of Ohio State RB Isaiah West. Wesley was the only first-year Longhorn to play on defense vs. the Buckeyes. He's earned that trust. pic.twitter.com/lyTepa43aY
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) September 16, 2026
Coming out of high school, the California native was ranked as the No. 12 edge rusher in his class by 247Sports. The recruiting service also ranked Wesley as the No. 83 player nationally and the No. 9 player in California. During the recruiting process, he received offers from Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC. After weighing his options, Wesley decided Texas was the best place to begin his college career.
With Simmons out of action, one of Wesley's biggest priorities will be putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Longhorns' defense has allowed 12 plays of 20 yards or more and struggled to stop late rallies over the past two weeks. Generating consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks could play a major role in reversing those trends.
Hero Kanu on Texas DE Richard Wesley:
— Zach Dimmitt (@ZachDimmitt7) October 19, 2026
"He's totally dialed. I think physically he's ahead of his time. He's still young, but physically he's so developed. I think he can go out there and make an impact as well."
Wesley could be in for a bigger role with Colin Simmons' injury pic.twitter.com/ev7NIjLTvH
While expectations for Wesley are high, he has already drawn praise from veteran teammates, including Hero Kanu.
When asked about Wesley earlier this week, Kanu said, "He's totally dialed; I think physically he's ahead of his time. He's still young, but physically he's so developed. I think he can go out there and make an impact as well."
Replacing a player like Simmons is no easy task, but Wesley has an opportunity to prove himself as Texas looks to overcome the loss of one of its top defensive playmakers.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns EDGE Richard Wesley poised for bigger role with Simmons out
