Penn State cornerback Collins emerges as standout defender and team leader

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 18:50 · Archive

Penn State cornerback Audavion Collins, a former low-ranked recruit, has become one of the team's top defenders.

Cornerback Audavion Collins has emerged as one of Penn State's standout defenders after arriving at the university from Mississippi State in 2023. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound player was ranked as the 753rd overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, making his rise to prominence an unexpected one.

Collins has posted impressive defensive statistics this season. He has allowed just four completions in Penn State's first seven games, the lowest total among FBS cornerbacks who have played at least 150 coverage snaps. He also leads the Lions in pass breakups with eight and serves as one of the team's top coverage players on the punt team.

Penn State wide receiver Chase Sowell, who leads the team with 34 catches and 510 yards, frequently faced Collins during preseason practices. Sowell said the two developed a competitive relationship. 'I think the thing with "AC" is like, man, we hated each other when I first got here,' Sowell said. 'It was like, because we were so competitive, we just wanted to win. It wasn't like, "I don't like you." It was more like, "I want to beat you and (Collins) wants to beat me." The iron sharpens iron thing.'

Collins has been named a team captain as Penn State (3-4) prepares to face Purdue (3-4) on Saturday. Penn State coach Matt Campbell said Collins, now a redshirt senior, is the type of player he wants to build his programme around for the future.

How it is being reported

• Penn State’s captains for Purdue include one of program’s best defendersCornerback Audavion Collins joins the stable of mainstays in donning the "C" for Purdue.PennLive · 31 Oct, 18:12
• Penn State cornerback Audavion Collins goes from overlooked recruit to standout defender, team leaderTwo of Penn State’s top players have decidedly different college football origin stories.TribLIVE · 30 Oct, 16:14

In this story: Audavion Collins · Chase Sowell · Penn State · Purdue · Terry Smith · Matt Campbell

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