With The First Pick
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2021 NFL Draft: Meet CFB’s newest star in Tulsa LB Zaven Collins

By Cory Kinnan

Oct 23, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Zaven Collins (23) and tight end James Palmer (32) celebrate after he returned an interception for a touchdown in the second half against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Zaven Collins (23) and tight end James Palmer (32) celebrate after he returned an interception for a touchdown in the second half against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Zaven Collins
Zaven Collins. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

College football has a new star in Zaven Collins

If you are looking for the next big name in the 2021 NFL Draft? Look no further than the American Athletic Conference. Seriously. Down in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there is a linebacker by the name of Zaven Collins who has turned the heads of analysts all over the country.

While names like Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Penn State’s Micah Parsons, Alabama’s Dylan Moses, and Missouri’s Nick Bolton sit at the forefront, Collins has entered the conversation as a top linebacker in the nation and in this year’s draft class. The 6-foot-4 and 260 pound linebacker is playing out his redshirt junior season with Tulsa, and is putting on a show.

Just how good has Collins been this season for the Golden Hurricane? We take a deep look here.

Looking at the box score

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Entering the season with 93 solo tackles, 17.5 of which came behind the line of scrimmage, three and a half sacks, one interception, and six passes defended, Collins is on a pace to shatter his career highs in 2020. Through six games this season, Collins has already racked up 33 solo tackles, six and a half tackles for loss, four sacks, an astounding four interceptions (two of which he has returned for six), two passes defended, and forced two fumbles.

Just a former three star recruit out of Oklahoma, Collins saw just one offer according to 247 Sports, to Tulsa. Needless to say Collins has played with a chip on his shoulder and has developed quite nicely this year at Tulsa.

We now look at where Zaven Collins wins on the field, where he has room for improvement, and what his 2021 NFL Draft stock is now looking like.

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