Scouting Report and Biography of Alfred Collins

Introduction

Alfred Collins is an emerging talent in the world of college football, renowned for his unique blend of size, athleticism, and skill as a defensive lineman. As a standout player for the University of Texas Longhorns, Collins has established himself as a significant force in the trenches, a player capable of disrupting opposing offenses both as a pass rusher and a run defender. His combination of physical traits, versatility, and potential has positioned him as one of the top prospects for the NFL draft in 2025. In this scouting report, we’ll dive into Collins’ background, his journey to the University of Texas, his playing style, strengths, weaknesses, and what makes him an intriguing prospect at the next level.

Early Life and Background

Alfred Collins was born and raised in Texas, a state known for producing top-tier football talent. Growing up in a football family, Collins was naturally drawn to the game from a young age. Standing out in various youth leagues for his size and athleticism, it was clear that Collins had the raw potential to develop into a premier player at the high school level.

Collins attended the renowned LBJ High School in Austin, Texas, where he immediately made an impact as a dominant defensive lineman. His performances on the high school gridiron quickly gained the attention of major college programs, thanks in no small part to his combination of physical attributes—height, weight, and speed—and his ability to disrupt the opposing offense.

In his senior year of high school, Collins was named a consensus four-star recruit and received numerous accolades for his performance on the field. He earned All-State honors and was considered one of the best defensive line prospects in the nation. His recruitment was highly competitive, with numerous top-tier programs vying for his commitment. Ultimately, Collins chose to stay close to home, committing to the University of Texas, where he would continue his development under the tutelage of the Longhorns’ coaching staff.

College Career at the University of Texas

Collins arrived at the University of Texas in 2020, as part of a strong defensive recruiting class. In his freshman season, he quickly demonstrated that he was capable of playing at a high level in the competitive Big 12 Conference. Although his first year was filled with growing pains and the challenges typical of any freshman adjusting to the speed of college football, Collins showed glimpses of his potential with flashes of brilliance as a pass rusher and run defender.

In his sophomore year (2021), Collins began to emerge as a more consistent and impactful presence on the field. His ability to penetrate the offensive line and disrupt plays became more apparent, and he earned significant playing time throughout the season. Over the course of the year, Collins contributed to a Longhorns defense that had some ups and downs but continued to rely on the strength and versatility of their defensive line, where Collins was a key figure.

By his junior season (2022), Collins had firmly established himself as one of the most promising defensive linemen in the Big 12, a leader on the Texas defense. His performance throughout the season only further cemented his status as a top draft prospect. As of 2023, Collins opted to declare for the NFL Draft, continuing his pursuit of playing at the highest level of football.

Physical Profile

One of the defining features of Alfred Collins’ game is his physical attributes. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 300 pounds, he has the ideal size for a defensive end at the next level. His height and length make him a formidable presence at the line of scrimmage, allowing him to extend his arms to disengage from blockers and affect plays. His frame is well-built for power, but he also possesses surprising agility and athleticism for a player of his size.

Collins’ wingspan allows him to affect passing lanes and disrupt quarterbacks by getting his hands up when rushing the passer. His movement skills, such as lateral agility and the ability to change direction quickly, are rare for a player of his size. Collins is known for his ability to chase down ball carriers, regardless of whether they are running backs, quarterbacks, or receivers. This combination of length, speed, and strength gives him a versatile skill set that can be used both as a pass rusher and as a run stopper.

Playing Style and Strengths

Alfred Collins plays with a unique blend of power, speed, and technique, which makes him a disruptive force in multiple aspects of the game. Let’s take a closer look at his playing style and the strengths that make him such an intriguing prospect:

1. Versatility Along the Defensive Line:
Collins has the ability to line up in multiple spots along the defensive line. He has been used in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive fronts during his time at Texas, and his skill set allows him to be effective in either alignment. As a defensive end, Collins excels at using his length and agility to attack the pocket from the edge. When lining up inside, he uses his power and quickness to collapse the pocket and disrupt interior offensive linemen. This positional flexibility is highly valued in the NFL, where defensive coaches love players who can be moved around based on the game plan and matchup.

2. Pass-Rushing Ability:
Collins is a natural pass rusher with a variety of moves at his disposal. His length and burst off the line of scrimmage give him a quick first step, allowing him to quickly close the distance between himself and the quarterback. Collins possesses a solid arsenal of pass-rushing moves, including a strong bull rush, an effective spin move, and the ability to swipe away blockers’ hands and disengage quickly. He can bend around the edge to get under blockers and use his length to maintain leverage and stay in the play.

His pass-rushing ability is one of the main reasons why scouts are high on him, as he has shown the potential to be a double-digit sack player at the next level. His ability to generate pressure from the edge, along with his size to play inside in sub-packages, makes him a versatile threat for opposing quarterbacks.

3. Run Defense:
In addition to his pass-rushing prowess, Collins is an excellent run defender. His size and strength make him tough to move off the ball, and he uses his length and hand placement to control offensive linemen at the point of attack. Collins excels in setting the edge against the run, preventing running backs from bouncing outside, and often finds himself disengaging from blockers to make plays in the backfield. His ability to shed blocks and track the ball carrier is impressive, and he often does so without losing his leverage.

Collins is capable of reading the flow of the play and adjusting quickly. His quickness allows him to penetrate into the backfield to disrupt running plays before they develop. This ability to impact both the passing and running game makes him an all-around defender capable of contributing in multiple situations.

4. High Motor and Work Ethic:
One of the standout traits of Collins’ playing style is his motor. He consistently gives maximum effort on every play, showing hustle both as a pass rusher and in pursuit of the ball carrier. His relentless pursuit to finish plays is evident on tape, and his determination to stay active throughout the course of a game is one of the reasons he has earned praise from coaches and scouts alike.

His work ethic extends off the field as well, where he has built a reputation for his dedication to improving and refining his craft. Collins takes coaching seriously and has shown a willingness to adapt and evolve his game as needed.

Weaknesses and Areas for Improvement

Although Alfred Collins has immense potential, like all young players, he still has areas of his game that need refinement before he’s ready to contribute at the NFL level. These weaknesses are not necessarily detrimental to his future, but they are aspects of his game that teams will likely look to improve once he enters their development programs.

1. Inconsistent Hand Placement and Technique:
While Collins has the natural talent to be a disruptive force, his hand placement and technique can sometimes be inconsistent. At times, he fails to fully extend his arms to control blockers, and his hand usage isn’t always refined when engaging with offensive linemen. His rush moves can sometimes be telegraphed, and he struggles to counter effectively when his initial move is stymied. Improving his hand technique and developing more effective counters to blockers will be crucial for Collins to reach his full potential.

2. Pass Rush Refinement:
While Collins shows promise as a pass rusher, his pass-rushing technique could benefit from further refinement. He relies heavily on his physical tools and raw ability to get to the quarterback, but at the next level, elite offensive tackles will be able to counter his moves more effectively. He needs to work on developing more variety in his pass-rushing repertoire and become more polished in his approach to attacking blockers.

3. Play Recognition and Diagnosis:
Collins’ play recognition skills are a work in progress. While he has the ability to disrupt plays, there are instances where he can be a step late in reading and reacting to the offensive play design. Whether it’s a play-action pass or a screen, he occasionally overcommits to one direction and misses the chance to alter the play. Developing a better understanding of offensive schemes and honing his ability to quickly diagnose plays will make him a more well-rounded defender.