Ricky Collins

Ricky Collins Jr. (born March 5, 1992) is a Canadian football wide receiver in the Canadian Football League (CFL) who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Kilgore College, Midwestern State University, and Texas A&M University–Commerce. He was a member of the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL), as well as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, BC Lions, and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.

Ricky Collins Jr.
Free agent
Collins with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021.
Born: (1992-03-05) March 5, 1992
Tyler, Texas, U.S.
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)Wide receiver
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight200 lb (91 kg)
CollegeKilgore College
Midwestern State
Texas A&M–Commerce
High schoolJohn Tyler (Tyler, Texas)
Career history
As player
2015Green Bay Packers*
2015Brooklyn Bolts
2016Winnipeg Blue Bombers*
2016–2017Saskatchewan Roughriders
2017Hamilton Tiger-Cats*
2018BC Lions
2019–2020Edmonton Eskimos
2021Toronto Argonauts
Career stats
Receptions241
Receiving yards3076
Receiving touchdowns7
Return yards312
Return touchdowns0

High school career

Collins played high school football at John Tyler High School, in his hometown, Tyler, Texas. During his senior season, he caught 44 passes for 1,053 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also ran the sprint relays in track for his high school.[1]

College career
Collins (3) in action against East Texas Baptist in 2014.

Collins begin his college career in 2010 at Kilgore Junior College; he had 34 receptions for 654 yards and 3 touchdowns during his freshman season.[1]

During his sophomore season in 2011, he continued at Kilgore and caught 50 passes for 571 yards with 6 touchdowns.[1][2]

After playing at Kilgore, Collins transferred to Midwestern State University for the 2012 season. He started in 2 out of the first 5 games and hauled in 7 passes for 98 yards, before walking away from football to care for his ill father.[3]

After the 2012 season, Collins transferred to Texas A&M University–Commerce but had to sit out a year as a redshirt and pay his own way through school due to the fact that Midwestern State had not released him to be transferred.[3]

After sitting out for the 2013 season, Collins was eligible to play in 2014 and caught 71 passes for 1,187 yards and 14 touchdowns, he also threw a 44-yard touchdown pass on a trick play in a game against Tarleton.[4] He currently holds the A&M–Commerce record for touchdown receptions in a season, which was previously held by his teammate Vernon Johnson. He helped lead a conference championship-winning A&M–Commerce team that led the nation in both average points per game (54.1) and average yards per game (535.4).[5] Collins also took part in the team's season-opening, record-breaking performance against East Texas Baptist, during which the offense produced 13 touchdowns, 98 points, and 986 total yards of offense.[6] After the season, he was awarded Lone Star Conference first team honors.[7]

After the 2014 season Collins was selected to compete in the College Gridiron Showcase.[8] He was projected to be drafted in the 6th or 7th round of the NFL Draft. However, one NFL scout said of Collins: "Good size and has talent but was in a very simple offense and I think he needs to come in as a free agent and prove he can take on a pro offense."[9]

NCAA stats
Receiving Rushing Passing Kick Return
Year Team G Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Comp Att Yds TD Int Lng Pct Ret Yds Avg Lng TD
2012 Midwestern State 5 7 98 14.0 49 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 Texas A&M–Commerce Redshirt
2014 Texas A&M–Commerce 11 71 1187 16.7 77 14 1 -16 -16.0 -16 0 1 2 44 1 0 44 .50 1 19 19.0 19 0
Totals: 16 78 1285 16.5 77 14 1 -16 -16.0 -16 0 1 2 44 1 0 44 .50 1 19 19.0 19 0

[1][2]

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

After his 2014 season, Collins signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent.[3] He sustained an injury during minicamp and was placed on the physically unable to perform list entering training camp before the preseason.[10] Collins was cut by the Packers with an injury settlement just before the start of the 2015 preseason.[11]

Brooklyn Bolts

Collins joined the Brooklyn Bolts of the Fall Experimental Football League for the remainder of 2015.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

On January 14, 2016, Collins was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.[12] He was released by the team on May 3, 2016.[13]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Collins signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 29, 2016.[14] Collins got off to a great start in the 2016 season with his best performance coming in a Week 3 game against the Edmonton Eskimos, where Collins caught 6 passes for 115 yards and 1 touchdown.[15] Collins was placed on the six-game injured reserve list on September 17, 2016.[16] Collins returned from injury in Week 17 and had a big performance, catching 7 passes for 113 yards and 1 touchdown against the Toronto Argonauts.[17] Collins finished his first season with 48 receptions for 720 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 8 kick returns for 151 yards, 4 punt returns for 41 yards, and 1 missed field goal returned for 38 yards, giving him a total of 950 all-purpose yards for the season. He was second on the team in receiving yards and tied for second on the team in receiving touchdowns despite the fact that he missed 4 games. Collins began the 2017 season on the six-game injured reserve list with a shoulder injury that he had sustained during the Week 1 match-up against the Montreal Alouettes.[18] Collins would only play in only one game for the Riders in 2017.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

On August 21, 2017, Collins was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats along with a seventh round pick in the 2018 CFL draft, in exchange for defensive end Mike McAdoo and a sixth round pick in the 2018 draft.[19] He was cut from team on September 26, 2017, having never made an appearance.[20]

BC Lions

About a week after free agency began Collins signed with the BC Lions on February 22, 2018.[21] On July 20 in a game against the Ottawa Redblacks Collins caught 6 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown including a clutch 39 yard reception in the 2nd quarter to put the Lions into scoring position. However the Lions still fell short and lost the game 29–25.[22] He had another big performance in a rematch against the Redblacks, Collins finished the game with 10 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown as the Lions defeated the Redblacks 26–14.[23] The Lions made the playoffs and lost 48–8 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Collins led the team in receiving in this playoff game with 5 receptions for 95 yards.[24] Collins finished the season with 60 receptions for 611 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 10 rushing yards, along with 46 yards as a returner on special teams.

Edmonton Eskimos

In February 2019, Collins was signed to a three-year contract during the first day of free agency.[25] Collins provided an immediate impact for Edmonton, with a 175-yard performance in week 1. Collins amassed 3 games where he surpassed 100 yards receiving, and was a consistent contributor, passing the 1,000 yard receiving mark for the first time in his career to help Edmonton return to the playoffs.

After the CFL canceled the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Collins chose to opt-out of his contract with the Eskimos on August 26, 2020.[26] He opted back into his contract with the Eskimos on October 6, 2020.[27] He was released on January 31, 2021,[28] and announced his retirement from football on February 26, 2021.[29]

Toronto Argonauts

On June 28, 2021, Collins signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.[30] Collins finished the season with 55 receptions for 642 yards and helped lead the Argonauts to the playoffs.

Statistics
Receiving Rushing Kick return Punt return Missed FG return
Year Team G Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD
2016 SSK 14 48 720 15.0 54 2 0 0 0 0 0 8 151 18.9 27 0 4 41 10.3 34 0 1 38 38.0 38 0
2017 SSK 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 BC 17 60 611 10.2 39 2 1 10 10.0 10 0 1 21 21.0 21 0 6 25 4.2 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 EDM 17 78 1,103 14.1 83 3 2 -1 -0.5 4 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 TOR 12 55 642 11.7 81 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2 36 18.0 19 0 4 37 9.3 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals: 61 241 3,076 12.7 83 7 3 9 3.0 10 0 11 208 18.9 27 0 15 104 6.9 34 0 1 38 38.0 38 0

[31]

Playoff statistics
Receiving Rushing Kick return Punt return Missed FG return
Year Team G Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD
2018 BC 1 5 95 19.0 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 EDM 2 7 127 18.1 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 TOR 1 4 21 5.2 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals: 4 16 243 15.1 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

References
  1. "Ricky Collins - 2012 Football". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  2. "Ricky Collins - 2014 Football". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  3. "Sacrifices pay off for rookie receiver Collins". Packers News. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  4. "Football Remains Unbeaten in LSC with 53-25 Win Over Tarleton State". Texas A&M-Commerce. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  5. "Six Lions Named Don Hansen's All-Region Team". Texas A&M-Commerce. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  6. "Lions Open Season in Record-Breaking Fashion Thursday". Texas A&M-Commerce. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  7. "Six Lions Earn First Team, Twenty-Six Total Honored by the Lone Star Conference". Texas A&M-Commerce. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  8. "Three Lions to Play In College Gridiron Showcase". Texas A&M-Commerce. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  9. "2015 NFL Draft Profile: Ricky Collins". NFL.com. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  10. Western, Evan "Tex" (July 29, 2015). "The Packers put four players on the PUP & NFI lists today, but Jordy Nelson and Nick Perry aren't among them". Acme Packing Company. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  11. "Packers release WR Ricky Collins, who did not practice in training camp". Acme Packing Company. August 11, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  12. "Bombers add receiver Collins". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. January 13, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  13. "JUNE 2016". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on June 13, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. "RIDERS TRANSACTION- MAY 29TH". riderville.com. May 29, 2016. Archived from the original on June 13, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. "2016-07-08 - Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Edmonton Eskimos (2287) Archives - Saskatchewan Roughriders". Saskatchewan Roughriders. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  16. "Roughriders hope third time's a charm against Eskimos | News Talk 650 CKOM". ckom.com. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  17. "2016-10-15 - Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Toronto Argonauts (2343) Archives - Saskatchewan Roughriders". Saskatchewan Roughriders. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  18. Pedersen, Rod. "Riders WR Ricky Collins to miss time with shoulder injury". 620 CKRM. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  19. "Roughriders trade Collins to Tiger-Cats - Article - TSN". TSN. August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  20. "Ticats release former Riders WR Ricky Collins Jr. - CFL.ca". CFL.ca. September 26, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  21. Lions add receivers Ricky Collins and Kieren Duncan
  22. "2018-07-20 Game Tracker - BC Lions vs. Ottawa Redblacks (2486) - CFL.ca". CFL.ca. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  23. "2018-09-07 Game Tracker - Ottawa Redblacks vs. BC Lions (2512) - CFL.ca". CFL.ca. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  24. "2018-11-11 Game Tracker - BC Lions vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2547) - BC Lions". BC Lions. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  25. "Edmonton Eskimos free agency ticker: Quarterback Mike Reilly to B.C. Lions, Esks sign quarterback Trevor Harris | Globalnews.ca".
  26. "Edmonton releases Collins Jr. to pursue NFL opportunities". CFL.ca. August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  27. "Ricky Collins Jr. opts back into contract with Edmonton". CFL.ca. October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  28. "EE Football Team signs Randy Richards, releases Ricky Collins Jr". Esks.com. January 31, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  29. "Veteran receiver Collins Jr. retires". TSN.ca. February 26, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  30. "Argos add trio, including former All-Star Dexter McCoil Sr". argonauts.ca. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  31. "Ricky Collins - CFL.ca". Retrieved September 25, 2016.
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