Tag: Alfred Collins

Texas DT Alfred Collins hasn’t broke out, but could in 2024

Alfred Collins’ breakout could be imminent. We share why it hasn’t happened yet.

There are roughly 95 days until the Texas Longhorns kicks off against Colorado State to begin the college football season. 95 is, of course, the number Alfred Collins wears. Collins, the former five-star prospect, hasn’t yet realized his five-star potential, but is primed to break out in 2024.

Some might already label the player a bust or write off his ability to contribute. After all, if he’s really as good as he was projected to be we should have seen it by now, they might suggest. That’s a logical outsider perspective, but not the full story.

Alfred Collins isn’t a bust. In fact, you could argue we actually have seen Collins play like a five-star. We’ve seen him throw NFL tackle Anton Harrison to the ground before sacking Spencer Rattler. We’ve seen him snag a one-handed interception in a bowl game. We just haven’t seen enough of it, because he hasn’t had enough chances to play.

Collins simply hasn’t gotten opportunities yet due to injury and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s situational designations for the defensive lineman.

Kwiatkowski famously placed Collins in a situational role that didn’t see the field much in 2021. Why? Perhaps because Collins wasn’t big enough to play three-technique but not lean enough to play edge in Kwiatkowski’s scheme. One of many failures to the 2021 defensive philosophy was trying to fit players to a scheme rather than fitting the scheme to players. That appeared to have changed after the 5-7 showing.

Collins’ progress was further stunted by injuries that limited his ability to pack on muscle and gain weight to move into the defensive tackle position in past offseason. Then, of course, defensive tackles Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat became All-Americans and prevented Collins from moving up the depth chart.

Fast forward to the 2024 offseason. Collins is mammoth-sized having finally grown into a defensive tackle. Kwiakowski should play him as often as possible this season. The senior now checks in at 321 pounds.

So why hasn’t the once undersized converted defensive end with ill-timed injuries broke out at defensive tackle yet? The question answers itself.

Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat and Keondre Coburn went from underachieving multi-year starters to breakout players in their last season in Austin. Collins will look to continue the trend in 2024.

Texas’ Alfred Collins with THICC-Six in spring game

Texas got a big man scored ins its spring football game

The spring games are on tap at many major schools.

Texas, joining the SEC in 2024, showed off some defensive prowess in its spring event.

Alfred Collins picked off a pass Saturday and all 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds of the defensive lineman returned it for a touchdown.

The Longhorn secondary seemed to have trouble with Arch Manning and his wideouts.

Texas DT Alfred Collins announces return for another season

Alfred Collins’ return is as big a win as any portal loss for Texas for 2024.

Alfred Collins is coming back. The defensive tackle announced that he will return to Texas for another season on the Forty Acres.

The Texas Longhorns have endured some big losses both to the transfer portal and the NFL draft. But the news of Collins’ return lofts Texas back into contention for a 12-team playoff barring unforeseen departures.

Outside of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and his pending decision, Collins might be the most important of potential returning players for the team. His importance stems from just how vital its starting defensive tackles were last season.

T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy were two of the best defensive tackles in college football this season. Texas was going to have drop off at the position, but the question at defensive tackle revolved around how severe of a drop off. With Collins in the fold, the Longhorns’ prospects move positively toward contention.

The returning playmaker has been effective and will likely be one of the best defensive tackles in the nation in 2024. The question will be who Texas plays beside him. Fellow defensive tackle Vernon Broughton will likely see plenty of playing time in the rotation, but isn’t big enough to play nose tackle.

Aaron Bryant and Jaray Bledsoe are young, but could factor into the defensive tackle equation alongside freshman defensive tackle Sydir Mitchell. That said, its fair to assume Texas will look to add depth at the position if not another impact starter.

The most important aspect of the position group is that Texas returns its most impactful player outside of Sweat and Murphy. Look for Collins to have the late breakout season Sweat and Keondre Coburn enjoyed in final seasons in Austin.

Report: Texas DT Alfred Collins eyes return to Longhorns in 2024

Alfred Collins could have a final season breakout similar to that of defensive tackles Keondre Coburn and T’Vondre Sweat.

Texas is trending to retain perhaps its second most important returning player behind starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. Continue reading “Report: Texas DT Alfred Collins eyes return to Longhorns in 2024”

12 Longhorns named to the 2023 Senior Bowl watch list

Texas has a dozen players that made the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list.

The Longhorns have one of the more experienced rosters in the country which is one of the main reasons that they are expected to win the Big 12. Continue reading “12 Longhorns named to the 2023 Senior Bowl watch list”

Texas Report Card: PFF grades from the Kansas win

Bijan Robinson and Kelvin Banks were the highest graded players on offense.

After suffering a heartbreaking loss to No. 4 TCU in Week 11, Texas responded in a big way on Saturday by defeating Kansas 55-14. Continue reading “Texas Report Card: PFF grades from the Kansas win”

Texas DL Alfred Collins ruled out vs. UL Monroe

An injury update prior to Texas’ season opener.

Texas will be without defensive lineman Alfred Collins in the season opener against UL Monore on Saturday.

Steve Sarkisian informed the media Collins is not expected to be out for a long period of time. The junior pass rusher was back at practice Thursday and is progressing well.

Collins was responsible for 24 total tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks across nine games in 2021. He is going to be a big part of the Texas defense once he is back on the field.

Outside of the two season-ending injuries to wide receiver Isaiah Neyor and offensive lineman Junior Angilau, Texas is in a relatively healthy position. Running back Roschon Johnson and corner Jahdae Barron are back after nursing injuries throughout fall camp.

Sarkisian credits the work of his training staff for getting his team ready to play to start the year.

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Power ranking Texas’ five best defensive players for 2022

These five players are elite at simply doing their job and could have a big year.

The Texas Longhorns defense struggled in 2021, but not for lack of talent. This season, they will depend on players whose best trait is simply doing their job and making the play.

Texas has the pieces to be a solid defense this season. By that I mean an average Big 12 defense. A host of defensive players will need to step up for that to happen.

DeMarvion Overshown and D’Shawn Jamison are players who could certainly have big seasons.

At safety, Anthony Cook stands to gain from a second consecutive year of reliable play in the secondary. Albeit, I’m not sure even Cook or Overshown fully know what role they will play in the Texas defense in 2022 so I’ve left them off this list.

T’Vondre Sweat, Barryn Sorrell and Keondre Coburn will also have an opportunity to leave their mark on the Texas football season.

With that said, here are my top five defensive players for 2022.

Texas Football: Picking one breakout player at each position

These Longhorns have the potential for monster 2022 seasons.

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas staff have their eyes set on a bounce-back 2022 season.

A rebuilt roster with an influx of talent via the transfer portal and high school ranks has people around the program feeling confident major improvement is coming.

Texas signed the No. 5 recruiting class for the 2022 cycle along with a strong list of exciting transfers, including quarterback Quinn Ewers and wide receiver Isaiah Neyor. The fresh faces on the team hope to establish themselves as premier players in the Big 12 Conference in 2022.

Wide receiver Xavier Worthy and defense back Anthony Cook enjoyed breakout seasons for the Horns in 2021. Texas needs multiple players to step up in a similar way if they want to reach their goal of competing for a Big 12 title this fall.

Here is a look at one breakout candidate for each position group entering the 2022 season. Big seasons from these Longhorns would go a long way towards getting the program headed in the right direction.