Eagles Eye ‘Dominant’ SEC Star as Potential Heir to $104 Million Defensive Titan

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University of Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins.

When it came to his final college football season, University of Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins took an opportunity and ran with it.

After having a breakout season and helping lead the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff semifinals for the first time, the 6-foot-6, 332-pound All-American is on track to reap the benefits in the 2025 NFL draft.

ESPN’s Field Yates predicts the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will select Collins in the second round (No. 64 overall) in order to replace Milton Williams, who signed a 4-year, $104 million free agent contract with the New England Patriots on March 10.

“Collins had dominant stretches at Texas, and with more consistency, he could quickly outplay this draft slot,” Yates wrote. “He’s 6-foot-6 and 332 pounds, and he has 34⅝-inch arms. The Eagles love to address the trenches at the draft, and Collins could help replace Milton Williams.”

Collins Had Breakout Season With Longhorns in ’24

Blocking Collins was a nightmare for opponents. in 2024. He had career highs in tackles (55) and TFL (9) along with a whopping 7 pass deflections and a blocked kick — a key sign he finally understood how to use that long frame at the line of scrimmage. Collins never had more than 25 tackles in a single season before 2024.

Collins also got the opportunity to be a full-time starter for the first time after earning All-Big 12 honors in 2023 with just 6 starts as he played behind future NFL draft picks Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat. In 2024, Collins started all 16 games and earned All-SEC honors as well as being named All-American.

NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Collins to Washington Commanders defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, who signed a 3-year, $45 million free agent contract on March 10.

“Collins isn’t going to stand out in one particular area, but he plays hard and has outstanding physical traits to blend right into an NFL defensive rotation,” Zierlein wrote. ” … He’s not a premier playmaker but he has the size, talent and alignment versatility to help fortify a defensive front as an early contributor and future starter.”