Friday, November 9, 2007
Everything about Anthony Collins is big: His arms are freakishly large and strong enough to stop an oncoming defensive end dead in his tracks. His legs are even bigger: They wouldn’t look out of place among California’s redwoods. Bigger still is his 100-watt smile.
But the most powerful weapon in Collins’ arsenal could be his personality. The junior is cordial but not hesitant to voice his opinion — making him the de facto leader of the Kansas offense, a role he relishes.
“All of our coaches’ job is to get on us and make us be better,” Collins said. “So when we get away from them I try to keep everyone loose. I try to crack jokes.”
How else does Collins keep his teammates loose? For one, he keeps them on the lookout, leaping into their arms after most Jayhawk touchdowns. That wouldn’t be a problem, but Collins happens to outweigh sophomore running back Jake Sharp by 120 pounds and sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing by 110. Collins’ celebratory leaps might seem a bit dangerous, but no one has been injured so far.
“I’m just so excited and happy that we’re scoring and everybody’s having fun because when we’re losing, it’s no fun,” Collins said. “When we’re happy and we’re scoring that means we’re winning and it’s more fun. I’m just enjoying myself — I hope I don’t hurt nobody though.
“My mama and my daddy and everybody says, ‘Stop hitting people’s kids, and please don’t hurt them.’ I told them I’d stop, but I haven’t stopped yet.”
But Collins does not rely solely on fun and games to motivate his teammates. On several occasions this season, Collins has chastised receivers in mid-game for dropping passes. Oddly enough, Kansas receivers dropped just one pass last week against Nebraska. There must be something persuasive about Collins’ 6-foot-5, 310-pound frame.
“They only have one way to respond, and that’s come back the next play and do something better,” Collins said. “If they drop a pass or anybody does something wrong, I’m going to be on them. I feel like everything is run through the O-line, and I’m the leader of the O-line, so if something goes wrong I’m going to get on them.”
The junior’s mouth is a source of entertainment and inspiration for his teammates, but his body has not hurt Kansas’ cause, either. Collins moved to left tackle from right tackle before this season because of his pass-blocking ability and has made a seamless transition. With Collins fending off all pass-rushers, Reesing’s blind side is more than adequately protected. His size, speed and track record have many asking a reasonable question: How long before Anthony Collins the Jayhawk becomes Anthony Collins the NFL player?
Collins, who said earlier this year that he wanted to play in the NFL because “Mama’s gotta eat,” said Wednesday that he still planned on making the jump to the professional ranks, but not as early as many expected.
“She isn’t eating yet, but she’s going to eat pretty soon, I hope,” Collins said. “Next year she’ll eat. But don’t take that nowhere — I seen your eyes light up. She’ll eat next year, after my senior year.”
After all, there’s still plenty left for Collins to accomplish at Kansas.
“I hear a lot of people say this is a dream come true, but it isn’t because we work hard every morning just like everybody else,” Collins said. “Everything’s just connecting — we’ve got a good coach, good staff, good quarterback. Everybody’s just connecting as one, and we’re winning more games.”
— Edited by Amelia Freidline
Jayhawks win ground battle
Kansas’ early fourth-and-one stop of Texas A&M set the tone for the ...
Quarterback fights through adversity against Toledo
Sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing led Kansas to a 45-13 victory over Toledo ...
Kansas disappointed with play in Texas
Reesing was benched in the fourth quarter of the Jayhawks’ third-consecutive loss.
Records broken as offense carries Kansas
Meier, Briscoe had competition of their own for career receptions.
Offensive duo shows progress
Matt Darton and Jeff Spikes will play in positions that were previously ...
The Buc starts here
After troubled past, former Jayhawk Talib is ready to live his dream ...
Kansas keeps focus, wins 45-7
Though Kansas fans may have been thinking ahead to the looming Border ...
Kansas hits opponents with the pass
The Jayhawk offense capitalizes on defenses’ preoccupation with the running game.
Game unravels for Kansas in last quarter
Offense struggles, Reesing benched
Seniors’ careers end with last-second loss
Missouri defeated Kansas 41-39 in the Border Showdown at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas’ double threat makes big plays
Receivers turn in big numbers using different styles.
Kansas clings to victory, avoids upset against ...
Defense struggles heavily but the offense picks up the slack.
Football season failed to reach expectations
Jayhawks got off to a strong start, finished surprisingly low.
He's the Dez-man
Briscoe tied a career-high with nine catches and three touchdowns during Kansas' ...
Reesing ready to lead
Junior quarterback looks to have another stellar season.
Sophomore defensive tackle balances football and fatherhood
When Jamal Greene discovered he would be a father, he knew his ...
Quarterback’s career defied expectations
Todd Reesing’s time at KU has so far brought victories, school records ...
Kansas wins thrilling Border Showdown matchup
The Jayhawks emerge victorious, 40-37, over No. 12 Missouri.
Despite crushing loss, Jayhawks remain hopeful
Team to focus on bringing skills learned in practice to actual games.
Collins and Taylor share a special relationship
The two players are as close as brothers and have helped each ...
Talib shines in spring scrimmage
Coach Mark Mangino allowed both quarterbacks to be "live," meaning they could ...
Reesing looking to make improvements
Quaterback works on skills both on and off the field.
Football suffers a ‘rough day at the ...
Three first-half turnovers doomed Kansas from the start.
Football looks ahead with spring game, practices
The team prepares to follow up its successful past season.
Kansas wins 35-33
The Jayhawks faced a 20-point halftime deficit, but Todd Reesing threw three ...
Kansas sees downfall in game against OU
Bad statistics, missed tackles cause players to reevaluate game plan.
Communicating the play
Kansas’ offensive line works together to ensure a play’s success.
Kansas football notes: UTEP postgame
Defensive player recognized; Mangino praises offensive line.
Collins and Talib ponder NFL futures
Aqib Talib and Anthony Collins have a lot on their to-do-lists this ...
Captains prepare team for coming season
Mangino sees promise in four new team leaders, on the field and ...
Football senior becomes team leader
Jeremiah Hatch is dedicated to motivating the team through hard work and ...
Veteran offensive line looks to improve
Battle of the brothers
Linebacker Justin Springer will play his twin brother in Saturday’s game against ...
Editorial: Olin right pick for security position
Ron Olin is the right choice for a new position at KU ...
Self's first one and done
Xavier Henry decides to leave Kansas, but he leaves behind good memories.
Season considered success despite loss
The Jayhawks ended their season prematurely with a 68-55 loss to the ...
Collins takes his place as a leader ...
After brushes with injury, readiness and the law, the junior guard is ...
Collins reasserts himself in Kansas lineup
Sophomore guard Sherron Collins, now averaging 14.7 points per game, has made ...
Football team blends together deliciously
The Jayhawks most successful season in over a century is a product ...
No dirty laundry for Reed siblings
Sophomore Lacie Reed is the men’s basketball team’s student manager, while her ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID