Elijah Collins
| No. 34 – Cincinnati Bengals | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Running back |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | August 1, 2000 |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight: | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy (Detroit, Michigan) |
| College: | Michigan State (2018–2022) Oklahoma State (2023) |
| Undrafted: | 2024 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Active |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Elijah Collins (born August 1, 2000) is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Early life and high school[edit]
Collins attended high school at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. In his junior season, Collins rushed for 721 yards while also hauling in 19 receptions for 306 yards and totaling 19 touchdowns.[1] Coming out of high school, Collins was rated as a three star recruit where he committed to play college football for the Michigan State Spartans.[2][3]
College career[edit]
Michigan State[edit]
In Collins' first collegiate season in 2018, he played in three games rushing twice for eight yards as he used the season to redshirt.[4] In week one of the 2019 season, Collins would get his first opportunity in game rushing eight times for 17 yards in a win over Tulsa.[5] In week two, Collins got his first career start where he rushed 17 times for 192 yards in a win over Western Michigan.[6] Collins finished his breakout 2019 season rushing 222 times for 988 yards and five touchdowns.[7] Coming off his strong season in 2020, Collins role heavily decreased as he finished the season with just 41 carries for 90 yards.[8] During the 2021 season, Collins missed five games due to an injury and rushed just 18 times for 102 yards.[9] In week five of the 2022 season, Collins rushed for a team high 36 yard and a touchdown versus |Maryland.[10] Collins finished the 2022 season, rushing for 318 yards and six touchdowns on 70 carries, while also hauling in 14 receptions for 93 yards.[11] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Collins decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[12][13]
Oklahoma State[edit]
Collins decided to transfer to play for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.[14][15] In Collins lone season with the Cowboys he rushed just 30 times for 142 yards and two touchdowns.[16]
Professional career[edit]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
212 lb (96 kg) |
31+3⁄8 in (0.80 m) |
9+7⁄8 in (0.25 m) |
4.54 s | 1.62 s | 2.66 s | 4.25 s | 7.10 s | 38 in (0.97 m) |
10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) |
16 reps | |
| All values from Pro Day[17] | ||||||||||||
After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Collins signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent.[18][19]
References[edit]
- ^ Garcia, Tony (11 July 2017). "Michigan State target Elijah Collins grew freaky fast, was recruited just as quickly". MLive.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Nelsen, Chris (29 September 2017). "Michigan State recruiting: U-D Jesuit's Elijah Collins '100% committed'". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Newest Michigan State football commitment Elijah Collins is sold on Mark Dantonio". MLive.com. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Wenzel, Matt (8 September 2019). "Michigan State freshman RB Elijah Collins flirts with program history in breakout performance". MLive.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Charboneau, Matt (10 September 2019). "Former U-D Jesuit standout Elijah Collins cements role as Michigan State's go-to back". The Detroit News. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Solari, Chris (8 September 2019). "Michigan State football may have found a big-play weapon in Elijah Collins". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ McVeigh, Griffin (4 January 2023). "Michigan State running back Elijah Collins enters NCAA transfer portal". On3.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Wenzel, Matt (17 November 2022). "Michigan State's Elijah Collins has eligibility left, undecided on future". MLive.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Wenzel, Matt (6 October 2022). "Elijah Collins remained loyal to Michigan State and is earning more opportunities". MLive.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Black, Ryan (5 December 2022). "When many expected him to leave, Elijah Collins stuck it out at Michigan State. Now his persistence is paying off". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Solari, Chris (4 January 2023). "Michigan State football RB Elijah Collins enters transfer portal after 5 years". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Charboneau, Matt (4 January 2023). "Michigan State RB Elijah Collins enters transfer portal". The Detroit News. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Wenzel, Matt (4 January 2023). "Michigan State reserve running back enters the transfer portal". MLive.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Wright, Scott (28 May 2023). "How is Michigan State transfer RB Elijah Collins blending in with Oklahoma State football?". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Ruhl, Dean (13 June 2023). "As transfer RB Elijah Collins attempts to carve out his role, experience is key: 'It's an advantage for him'". Tulsa World. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Gregory, Dekota (28 April 2024). "Former Oklahoma State Running Back Elijah Collins Signs with Bengals as Undrafted Free Agent". Pistols Firing. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Elijah Collins College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "Bengals Sign 14 College Free Agents". Bengals.com. May 10, 2024.
- ^ Champion, Aidan (30 April 2024). "Former Michigan State RB Elijah Collins is one of four Spartans signed by Bengals". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 27 May 2024.