R.J. Collins brings elite speed to the Wildcats secondary.
Note:
Now that National Signing 2025 Vol 1 is in the books, it’s time to take a look at the fruits of the coaching staffs’ labor. Keep in mind, this isn’t a player “evaluation”. I don’t get to look at enough film to evaluate high school recruits. I’m going to give you the best-case scenario for a player, knowing full well, not everyone will work out as planned.
RJ Collins
Officially a Wildcat.
Welcome to K-State, @RJCollins07#POUNDTHESTONE25 ⚒️ #EMAW pic.twitter.com/2LgabiDXAg
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) December 4, 2024
What He Brings to Kansas State
Speed, raw, hot, nasty, filthy speed.
Collins is the type of fast that makes other fast guys go “man, that dude’s fast”.
His on-track times are exceptional. He won the 200-meters in Missouri as a junior with a state record 21.23 run, and then he finished 3rd in the 100-meters because why not just win all the medals.
What I like about RJ is the track speed holds up on the football field. Some track guys don’t run quite as fast in pads with other guys around them. To run fast on the football field, you also need to be fearless, and Collins is fearless. He’s not a big dude, but he’s not slowing down for anyone.
He mostly played corner in high school, but I could see him playing either corner or safety at K-State. His tackling ability makes him an intriguing free safety option, where physically, he reminds me of a faster Kobe Savage. Either way, K-State is either getting a blazing fast corner who can cover his man can help in run support, or they’re getting a blazing fast safety who can cover someone else’s man and help in run support.
Projection
Collins was a leader in this K-State recruiting class. He even shrugged off a late offer from USC because he’s the kind of guy that enjoys a crisp -7 winter day instead of the boring mid 70’s of Southern California. I don’t think he’ll start, but I think he’ll play.
Kansas State doesn’t have enough athletes on the team to keep this level of athlete off the field. Look for him on special teams early in the season, but from what I’ve read and heard, he’s got the mental makeup of an early contributor for the ‘Cats.