Collins waits, ready to star for Eagles
By Griffin Callaghan
gcallaghan@cherokeetribune.com
Devyn Collins has big plans
at Reinhardt.
Coming off the 2021 season
KICKOFF ‘22 177
with a team-leading 811
yards and 13 touchdowns on
the ground, the Eagles’ running
back is ready to take a
starring role. Coach James
Miller praised Collins’ work
behind the scenes and said he
earned a featured opportunity.
“It is amazing because as
a running back, you want to
get the ball,” Collins said. “In
the past, I have been used to
sharing it. Now that the load
is on me, this is what I have
been waiting for.”
Reinhardt finished in the
top five on the NAIA rushing
boards last season, with Collins
as the leading rusher. With
quarterback and second-leading
rusher Billy Hall gone, the
offense will only benefit from
handing him the ball.
Collins showed his explosive
potential early last season. He
took 22 carries for 208 yards
and four touchdowns in a 45-0
win over Warner in Week 2.
“I think patience is key in
life,” Collins said. “People want
things to be rushed sometimes,
and as I have gotten older, I
understand that it is not the
case. You have to work for it.
That is how it has been with
football. I worked so hard, and
I have waited my turn.”
Among his lofty goals for
2022 is hitting the 1,500-2,000
yard mark. Collins had 878
all-purpose yards last year,
and between Miller and new
offensive coordinator Chet
Pobolish, he said he hopes to
build on those numbers and
help the Eagles make noise in
the postseason.
“I think this year we are going
to get over the hump,” Collins
said. “We made some changes
to the offense, and the defense
has held it down for us for the
past few years. I feel like we
have not come through. With
the changes we made, though,
that was what we needed.”
Collins began his collegiate
football career with Mississippi
State, but after a coaching
change, he decided his best
route to see the field was to
transfer. He heard Reinhardt
had a winning culture and decided
to make his home state
the next destination.
A leader by example, Collins
is one of the hardest workers on
the team, according to Miller.
Collins said one of his favorite
parts of the offseason has
been showing the guys under
him what it takes to be great.
“He wants the ball, but he is
a team guy,” Miller said. “He
is always going to put the team
first. He is a tireless worker,
and we could not see a guy in
better shape. Devyn is a great
young man, and he will always
be ready to go. I am excited to
see him flourish in our offense
this fall.”
Collins was the third-leading
rusher in the Mid-South Conference’s
Appalachian Division
in 2021 but has a chance at
the crown with an increased
workload. He averaged 5.4
yards per carry, showing his
efficiency with the ball.
As Reinhardt continues to
make noise in the NAIA, Collins
looks to further his legacy
and earn a shot at the pros.
With a massive opportunity
ahead of him, both Collins
and Miller are confident
that 2022 will be a big year
in Waleska.
“I want to win a championship,”
Collins said. “I want
to leave a legacy behind and
be the first player to make it
to the NFL, showing everyone
that Reinhardt has talent,
too.”
link
/www.reinhardteagles.com