Notre Dame's standout linebacker and guard, Collins, shone brightly during his high school days at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, where he excelled in the sport of football. His remarkable performance earned him first-team All-American recognition from the Football Writers Association in 1974, with the Associated Press awarding him second-team honors.
As a stalwart defender, Collins played a crucial role on Notre Dame's 1973 national championship team. He recorded an impressive 18 solo tackles in a thrilling victory over the reigning national champions, Southern California, and followed this up with 16 more tackles in the Sugar Bowl, helping Notre Dame secure the national title with a win over Alabama.
Collins' exceptional talent caught the attention of NFL scouts, and he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 1975 NFL Draft, the 35th overall pick. He went on to play for the Seattle Seahawks in 1976 and the Buffalo Bills in 1977, continuing to demonstrate his prowess on the gridiron.
