Interview: Prolific 2023 Louisiana QB Rickie Collins is Pulling in the Scholarship Offers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Most high school quarterbacks do not come close to throwing for 300 yards a game, and the list gets smaller tacking sophomore onto it all along with going against 5A Louisiana defenses. But in 2020, that is what Rickie Collins did to put himself on the football map. The 6-3.5, 180-pound, standout for Woodlawn High School was rocking it throwing for 1,445 yards and 16 touchdowns in five games. The film of his exploits is making the rounds at the next level prompting offers to be extended from Arkansas, Memphis, and Virginia Tech. With plans to tear it up at college camps this summer, Collins offer sheet is going to explode in a hurry.
In an RNG first-look interview, the Baton Rouge product headed over to the Lab giving detail to his game with an update on his recruiting.
Interview
Rickie, you were throwing darts across the field during your sophomore run averaging 289 yards a game. What was clicking for you with your receivers making for the highly productive season?
Chemistry and communication. We were all on the same page. For any quarterback, that makes your job easy.
What was the offensive philosophy of the Panthers during the 2020 season?
Score fast. We are an up-tempo team, score fast and play fast.
What style of offense were you running?
We are a pro-style offense. We can run and pass it, and you can stop it.
How does that style of offense fit your skills?
It compliments me well. I have three or four backs that can pound the rock. My big guys up front block for the running backs, which makes my job easier. The run opens up the pass.
Your stroke is smooth and you keep a great base through your drops and while going through your progressions. What are some of the other small details to your game that make a big difference that others may not pick up on?
My knowledge of the game. I am savvy, I take pride in that. You can have all the tools but if you do not know the game you cannot perform at a top level.
In which game did you turn in your best performance in 2020?
In my opinion, the Catholic-BR game. That was a rivalry game, or the Dutchtown game. I ran for a big touchdown and threw two more in that one. In the Catholic-BR game, I broke the school’s passing record.
What numbers did you put up to break the school single-game passing record?
456 yards with four touchdowns.
Nice. With teams respecting the run, how were most defenses trying to stop your passing attack?
We saw a lot of Cover 2. They’d press us, and we’d run by them. Then they’d go into Cover 3. They could not stop us. We had the guys that can play against all of it.
Will there be any tweaks and/or changes with the offense in 2021?
Not really. We try to get better at being more consistent. Scoring in the red zone, during my freshman season I was not so good at that but I got better at finishing drives.
This offseason, what are you working on with your mechanics?
Playing tall. Playing at 6-3. I take pride in my savvy. I am learning more about the game and schemes and what I can do better to help my team out.
Are you watching next level quarterbacks to learn more about the game? If so, who are you watching and what are you picking up?
I like to watch Tom Brady. He is doing it at a high level, and still doing so at an older age. I want to see what he is doing to be productive like he is.
Are there any camps coming up on your schedule?
I’d like to attend more college camps; that is what a lot of coaches are telling me now. They want to offer me, but they want to see me in person. The quarterback offer is a big one for colleges.
Keeping with that, which schools are showing interest?
I am communicating with LSU; I talked to them today. Louisiana was in touch a while back.
How many offers are down?
I have three; Memphis, Arkansas, and Virginia Tech.
Which program was the first to offer?
Memphis on National Signing Day in February.
Achieving that goal, receiving your first offer, what was that like for you?
It was a blessing and a relief. I didn’t know when it was going to come, but that was the day I got it.
This summer, are there any programs you might visit?
Right now, there is not one specific school. The schools that want to see me I am down to go. I am ready to showcase my talents. It is a blessing they are asking me. If they want me there, I will go.
Rickie, it was great tying the play on the field with the quarterback making it happen. Thanks for your time today.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Collins family; Rickie Collins