Alfred

Collins

The 49ers continue to build the trenches back out, as Collins (6'6/322) is the second defensive lineman in as many picks. Returning DC Robert Saleh’s influence is already being felt. A former five-star recruit, Collins was used primarily as an early down plugger for his first four years on campus. Despite his mammoth size he lined up as a starter in the B-gap last year and thrived recording 27 stops, a microscopic 3% missed tackle rate and a pristine 87.2 defensive grade. The Second Team All-American graded out in the 79th percentile against true pass sets with a decent 6.9% pass rush win rate, so he has utility in both phases. Collins has a tantalizing combination of height/weight with 34 3/4th” arms and the raw strength that goes along with it. While his edge days are likely behind him, Collins still retains a jarring club/swim combo move that he wins with 24.1% of the time. Though he is now a massive 332 pounds, he still possesses advanced agility and quickness that made him an effective five tech. Being a taller player, he can get stuck on blocks when his pad level elevates and he sometimes lacks explosiveness off the snap. Collins has the raw-boned, well-proportioned frame that NFL organizations covet in a developmental IDL prospect.

Epenesa was one of the highest-recruited commits to the Hawkeyes back in 2017; ranking 30th overall and getting a five-star designation from Rivals. Collins isn’t a five-star player, but he was considered one of the top defensive ends, and Farrell and Gorney acknowledge they have similar skill sets. “Epenesa was a powerful end coming out of high school who could beat you inside or outside and had great balance,” writes Farrell. “Collins could have a similar career at Texas.” The Longhorns probably wouldn’t complain.

Collins (6'5/275) opting in with Texas is not only a real coup for the Longhorns on its face, it also has the added benefit of keeping the Bastrop, Texas, native out of Oklahoma’s clutches. The Sooners were in this race right down to the wire. Collins has position versatility along the defensive line and comes equipped with a huge motor. He has work to do in shoring up a number of technical fronts, but the talent and upside, here, is on the money. The 247Sports composite board ranks Collins as the No. 62 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

Collins (6'5/275) is down to OU, Baylor, Texas and Alabama. Spiegelman notes that in addition to the Sooners, the Bears likewise are trending in the right direction, here. The Bastrop, Texas, native tentatively plans on taking unofficial visits to all four of his finalists in January. Rivals ranks Collins as the No. 150 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

Collins (6'5/275) is a key recruit for Texas, as the program has lost multiple verbal pledges this fall including DE Prince Umanmielen. The four-star defensive end from Bastrop, Texas is also said to be considering Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, so at this point it appears safe to assume that he’ll be playing his college football in either the Big 12 or SEC. LSU is the only school in the list that Collins has yet to visit, with Texas A&M and Texas hosting him in mid-October.