As a senior, he started at defensive tackle and was a part of a team that earned three-way tie for the Big Ten conference championship.
Collins was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2001 NFL draft.
As a rookie, he was converted finto an offensive tackle in the first week of the regular season and was declared inactive for all 16 games.
In that same contest, he suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee, that forced him to miss 6 games, returning until the season finale.
On August 24, 2004, after being demoted to third string, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a conditional draft choice (not exercised).