La'el Collins
No. 71 – Buffalo Bills | |||||
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Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. | July 26, 1993||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||
Weight: | 315 lb (143 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Redemptorist (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) | ||||
College: | LSU (2011–2014) | ||||
Undrafted: | 2015 | ||||
Career history | |||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
Roster status: | Active | ||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
La'el Collins (born July 26, 1993; pronounced
Early years
A native of
Regarded as a five-star prospect by every major recruiting source, Collins was listed as one of the premier
College career
In his
In his junior season, Collins was moved to left tackle, filling the void left by Chris Faulk. Quickly adjusting to his new position, he earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after playing all but one snap in a 37–27 over Texas Christian in the season-opener.[8] Collins went on to start twelve games at left tackle, only missing the Furman game in October.[9] Louisiana State's offense accounted for school-record 465.9 total yards per game, which included 200.8 rushing and 256.8 passing, and a school-record 37 rushing touchdowns.
Collins turned down an opportunity to enter the 2014 NFL draft to return to LSU for his senior season.[10] He started all 13 games at left tackle, leading the team in both offensive snaps (843) and knockdowns (88). The Tigers offense rushed for an average of 224.5 yards a game, the most by the team since averaging 256.6 in 1997. After the season, Collins was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the top offensive lineman in the SEC as voted on by the league’s coaches, as the first LSU Tiger to win since Ciron Black in 2009. Collins was also voted First-team All-SEC by the league's coaches and the AP. Both USA Today and AP named him second-team All-American.
Professional career
Pre-draft
Regarded as a first round pick in the
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 4+1⁄2 in (1.94 m) |
305 lb (138 kg) |
33+1⁄4 in (0.84 m) |
10+3⁄8 in (0.26 m) |
5.12 s | 1.87 s | 3.04 s | 4.63 s | 7.70 s | 27 in (0.69 m) |
9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) |
21 reps | |
All values from |
Dallas Cowboys (first stint)
On May 7, 2015, Collins signed as an
In 2016, he began the season as the starter at left guard over Leary, but suffered a torn ligament in his right big toe in the third game against the
In 2017, following the retirement of
In 2018, he started all 16 games at right tackle. He contributed to Dak Prescott throwing for over 4,000 yards and to Ezekiel Elliott winning his second rushing crown with 1,434 yards.
On September 3, 2019, Collins signed a five-year, $50 million contract extension with the Cowboys, keeping him on contract through the 2024 season.[20] He started 15 games at right tackle. He missed the Week 6 game against the New York Jets with a knee injury. He was part of an offensive line that only yielded 23 sacks (second-fewest in the league).
In August 2020, he was involved in a car accident that caused a neck stinger.[21] He also dealt with hip and groin injuries. On September 7, 2020, Collins was placed on injured reserve.[22] He missed all of the season and undrafted rookie Terence Steele went on to start 14 games at right tackle in his place.
On September 10, 2021, Collins started the season opener at right tackle, before being suspended five games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, because of multiple missed drug tests and trying to bribe the test collector.
In March 2022, the Cowboys gave Collins permission to seek a trade.[25] On March 17, he was released with three years remaining on his contract.[26]
Cincinnati Bengals
On March 20, 2022, Collins signed a three-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, reuniting with offensive line coach Frank Pollack, who had this same position with the Cowboys.[27] He was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list with a back injury at the start of training camp. His back injury lingered throughout the season, forcing him to have designated rest days during midweek practices. In a Week 16 matchup against the New England Patriots, he suffered in the first quarter a torn left ACL and MCL injury that ended his season. On December 30, he was placed on the injured reserve list. He started 15 games at right tackle. He was replaced with Hakeem Adeniji.
Collins was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the 2023 season.[28] He was released on September 12, 2023.[29]
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)
On January 2, 2024, Collins was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.[30] His contract expired when the teams season ended January 14, 2024.
Buffalo Bills
On April 9, 2024, Collins signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.[31]
References
- ^ Dehner, Jr., Paul; Morrison, Jay (March 24, 2022). "La'el Collins discusses joining Bengals, Zac Taylor on new o-line & Steven Radicevic chats free agency + more". Hear That Podcast Growlin' (Podcast). The Athletic Media Company. Event occurs at 05:50. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Several LSU commits stay alive in state playoffs". The Daily Reveille. November 30, 2010.
- ^ "Rivals.com offensive tackles 2011". Rivals. January 20, 2011.
- ^ "2011 ESPN 150". ESPN.
- ^ "Redemptorist duo commits to LSU". Sports NOLA. September 29, 2009.
- ^ "CBSSports.com 2011 Freshman All-America team". CBSSports.com. December 7, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012.
- ^ "LSU OG La'El Collins named SEC offensive lineman of the week". The Times-Picayune. November 5, 2012.
- ^ "LSU's La'El Collins named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week". The Times-Picayune. September 3, 2013.
- ^ "Tigers freshman Ethan Pocic to start at center, Jerald Hawkins at left tackle". The Times-Picayune. October 26, 2013.
- ^ a b "LSU OT La'el Collins feeling 'bittersweet' about his final game as a Tiger". The Times-Picayune. December 22, 2014.
- ^ La'el Collins goes undrafted, not eligible for '16 draft
- ^ Limited options for La'el Collins after he goes undrafted in 2015 NFL draft
- ^ Police want to question La'el Collins following shooting death
- ^ Agent: La’El Collins won’t play this year if not drafted tonight
- ^ "La'el Collins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "2015 Draft Scout La'el Collins, LSU NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "A slight tweak to La'el Collins' contract". ESPN. May 24, 2015.
- ^ Orr, Conor (October 4, 2016). "La'el Collins headed to IR following toe surgery". NFL.com.
- ^ Orr, Conor (July 25, 2017). "Cowboys OT La'el Collins agrees to two-year extension". NFL.com.
- ^ Patra, Kevin (September 3, 2019). "Cowboys, La'el Collins agree to five-year extension". NFL.com.
- ^ "Cowboys' La'el Collins in minor car accident, sources say". ESPN. August 20, 2020.
- ^ Eatman, Nick (September 7, 2020). "Collins, Lee, Bryant to IR; Cowboys Re-Sign 3 Vets". DallasCowboys.com.
- ^ "Cowboys RT La'el Collins suspended five games for violation of substance-abuse policy". NFL.com. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ Archer, Todd (October 29, 2021). "Dallas Cowboys OT La'el Collins does not regret fighting costly five-game suspension". ESPN. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Archer, Todd (March 12, 2022). "Dallas Cowboys grant RT La'el Collins permission to seek a trade". ESPN. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Shook, Nick (March 17, 2022). "Cowboys releasing offensive lineman La'el Collins". NFL.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "Bengals Sign La'el Collins". Bengals.com. March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- ^ "Bengals Reduce Roster to 53 Players for 2023 Season". Bengals.com. August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Bengals Roster Moves: La'el Collins Released". Bengals.com. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ Fisher, Mike. "Source: La'el Collins 'Coming Home' - Literally; Cowboys Signing Free Agent Lineman". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Bills sign OL La'el Collins to one-year deal". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
External links
- LSU Tigers bio
- "La'el Collins highlights: 2015 NFL Draft profile". NFL.com – via YouTube.