Jamie Collins OLB - Southern Miss

[jetfan718]

Overview

                            
                            

Originally, the athletic Collins decided to sign with Auburn,
but changed his mind to stay in his home state after unknown quantity
Gene Chizik took over as the Tigers’ head coach in December 2008. Even
though he missed out on the 2010 BCS championship season because of that
decision, his career with the Golden Eagles predicts a NFL future in
the path of former lean Southern Miss linebackers Michael Boley and
Gerald McRath.

Collins was a high school quarterback who led his team to

back-to-back state championship games in his sophomore (when his
Franklin County (Miss.) squad got the win) and junior seasons. After
arriving in Hattiesburg, coaches’ conversion of Collins paid immediate
dividends; playing as a reserve in all 13 games, he accumulated 48
tackles (three for loss, two sacks). During his sophomore year, he moved
from safety to linebacker due to a mid-season injury. He started seven
games, playing in every contest, garnering honorable mention
All-Conference USA honors with 76 tackles (three for loss, 2.5 sacks),
intercepting two passes and breaking up two others. He was again put on
the honorable mention squad for his work starting all 14 games in 2011,
in which he totaled 98 tackles (19.5 for loss), 6.5 sacks, and eight
pass break-ups. As a senior, Collins tallied 92 tackles (20 for loss),
10 sacks, four forced fumbles, and five passes broken up. This excellent
senior year earned him first-team All-Conference USA honors.

                           

Analysis

                        
Strengths
Presents a long, lean frame that NFL teams
look for in a stand-up pass rusher. Quick feet and long strides help him
close on quarterbacks, move down the line to crash on runs, as well as
give him the short-area agility to move in coverage with slot receivers
for short periods despite his height and length. Short area quickness,
and the ability to redirect in an instant. Power hands at times. Capable
of shedding in either direction to contain or fill a gap. Knows to
knock receivers at the line and crossers off their routes with his
strong arm extension. Has the length to wrap up ballcarriers trying to
avoid him in the backfield, as well as grab backs running away from him.
                            
                        
Weaknesses
Lacks sand in his pants and upper-body
strength to be an every-down defensive end against NFL tackles, and gets
consistently pushed back by double teams. Inconsistent coming off the
snap quickly, at times looking like he can beat tackles with a strong
first step but being among the last moving on other plays. Motor runs
cold, don't pursue plays well. Loses track off his position in zone
coverage. Can be eluded in space by quicker ballcarriers or in the
backfield by mobile quarterbacks. Must speed up his hands to win battles
against pro linemen, slow to disengage.
                            

NFL Comparison

 

Clark Haggans

                      
                       

Bottom Line

A tall lean end/linebacker hybrid for
Southern Miss, Collins racked up 20 tackles for loss (and 10 sacks) for
the Golden Eagles during his first-team All-Conference USA senior
season. Though he’s not an elite pass rush talent and is still growing
into his frame, he presents scouts with surprising agility for his size
and the length to be an effective 3-4 ‘backer capable of doing a bit of
everything, with untapped potential as a mid-round pick.

[SenorGato]

Used to mock him to Los Yets in the 4th, now it could be 2 rounds higher.

[jetfan718]

He looks good on tape, could add about 5 - 10lbs. though. But I wouldn't mind taking him in the 3rd or 4th. And he blew up the combine...http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1544657-breaking-down-the-combines-most-explosive-linebacker-jamie-collins