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With 42 days left until the Virginia Tech Hokies square off against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, we turn our attention to #42 on the roster Mr. J.R. Collins. While James Gayle will steal the headlines this offseason, Collins is quietly developing into the Hokies 2nd best pass rushing threat from the opposite side. Last season, he led the team in QB hurries with 29 and nearly scored a touchdown on an interception against UVA. Needless to say, it’s hard not to expect bigger and better things about of Collins this fall.
The Scoop
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 252 lbs
Position: Defensive End
Year: R-Junior
High School: Brooke Pointe High School
How Did He Get Here?
Collins was a member of the 2009 recruiting class and was personally, one of my favorite recruits in that class. He was not highly rated since he was just a 5.7 3 star recruit on Rivals.com but he did receive offers from BC, Maryland, UNC, NC State, Penn State, Tennessee, and UVA. Collins actually took four official visits in the fall of 2008 and committed to the Hokies on January 30th, 2009
2011 Season Rewind
If you judge Collins alone based on his stats, you may wonder why he hasn’t received more publicity this off-season. Last season, the Stafford native finished with 57 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception and 29 QB hurries. No matter how you slice it, that is a rock solid sophomore campaign. If Collins can improve upon those numbers in 2012, which I think he will, this defensive line as a whole could be significantly better. That’s a scary thought.
2012 Prediction
When you think about the great Virginia Tech defensive lines over the years, a few immediately come to mind - the 1999 D-line with Corey Moore terrorizing opposing QBs, the 2005 defensive line with Daryl Tapp coming off the edge, and the 2007 DL with Chris Ellis – are the ones that I immediately remember. This 2012 group has a chance to be special and may even surpass some of those groups that I just mentioned.
The key to this group is the pressure it can generate from their two primary pass rushers in Collins and Gayle. Gayle has hulked up to 269 pounds and is primed for a huge season from the STUD position. Over at end, it will be up to Collins to match him on every play. If last season was any indicator, then Collins is up to that challenge. In the UVA game, he was terrific. You can say the same thing about his play against Michigan in the Sugar Bowl. Collins is the key to this defensive line. If he has an All-ACC season, I think you’ll see the Hokies defense back in the top five in every major statistical category this season.
Completely Made Up Fact
Due to JR Collins bossy nature, his teammates have begun calling him the "Landlord"
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Quick question, What are the odds that a Penn State football player transfers to Va Tech? Maybe a lineman or something?
I would love for Eugene Lewis to transfer here. He was a big 4* WR in last year’s class that committed to Penn State over us. We were in his final 2 so if he were to transfer, my guess is Blacksburg would be the first place he looks.
Other than that, Zach Zwinik is a possibility. His dad was a DT here in 1982 and like Lewis, we were in his final group before he decided on Penn State. He blew out his knee during his true freshman year but seems to be back at 100% now. I wouldn’t mind taking him on as a short yardage back.
As for OL, the big one will be Dorian Johnson but he never really considered VT. We did recruit Donovan Smith pretty hard but he’s been adamant on Twitter that he’s not transferring. That may change but I think Maryland or Pitt would have a better shot there. As for some of the senior or junior OL, I have no idea.
Lewis and Zwinik would be the two I wouldn’t mind taking. If we could get an OL or two that would be gravy, especially if the NCAA waves the 85 scholarship limit for PSU transfers. Might as well take advantage of it and take as many as you can possibly get.
I think JR is going to have a great season him and Gayle are going to be nightmares for acc quarterbacks.
Gayle gets all the fanfare but Collins was more highly touted and I think he showed last year that he belongs in the same breath as Gayle. They both could end up with 10+ sacks this year.
Couldn’t agree more. Collins is set up for a HUGE season. I just hope we don’t get ravaged again by injuries. #lunchpailD
I hope some of Penn state players transfer to us
I’m sure our coaches have discussed it. If they erase that 85 scholarship limit then why not take as many as you can possibly get? That would give you a huge advantage.
That 85 Scholarship limit is only in effect for one year. You have to cut back to 85 scholarships the next year. It’s not like it is in effect for the tenure of the scholarship athletes while they are at the new school. That means you may create a rift with relationships you have with kids you are currently recruiting and their coaches because of this in the long term. I honestly do not see VT taking any kids from Penn State. If they do it would only be one or two.
Good point. Didn’t know if it was for the remaining tenure of the scholarship or just for a year. That changes things then. Might just selectively take one or two guys if you know they’re going to help immediately.
Beamer was on the scott van pelt show early today and he was asked about the question of penn st players being able to transfer and he said he would talk to his staff about it. I hope we grab 2 or 3, Evan Hailes would be a good one I think we were in his top 2 .
It appears Evan Hailes’ career is over due to bloodclots so that’s not a possibility. What a shame for him.
You are correct that JR has been undervalued by the media and even more so by the fans. To date JR has had a better career that Gayle or any other current DL for that matter. Statistically I think that continues this year, maybe because Gayle or “Hop”kins will demand double teams and so on. JR can beat almost anyone one v. one as he is the quickest down lineman on the team. Love this guy!