Aviante Collins
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Aviante Collins
| image = Aviante Collins (240808-N-HR150-1125) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Collins with the Chicago Bears in 2024
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Offensive tackle
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|4|21}}
| birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 307
| high_school = Willowridge (Houston, Texas)
| college = TCU (2012–2016)
| undraftedyear = 2017
| pastteams =
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2017|2020}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2021|2022}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2023}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason = 2023
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 8
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 1
| pfr = CollAv00
}}
Aviante Collins (born April 21, 1993) is an American professional football offensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at TCU.
Early years
Collins attended Willowridge High School in Houston, Texas, where he was a three-year letterman in football and a four-year letterwinner in track and field. He finished third in the shot put at the Class 5A state championships as a sophomore and junior and took fourth as a senior (56'1"). He was the regional champion in the shot put as a senior with a personal-best mark of 59'1/2".{{cite web|title=TRACK Deer Park shot putter has shot at state title after strong regional effort|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/deerpark/sports/article/TRACK-Deer-Park-shot-putter-has-shot-at-state-9387000.php|website=Chron.com|date=May 1, 2012}}
Collins was viewed as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com at offensive tackle, and was ranked as the No. 175 recruit in the state of Texas and the No. 91 offensive tackle overall in the nation. After initially committing to Houston, he ultimately decided to play college football at TCU, turning down scholarship offers from the Cougars and Arizona State.
College career
Collins accepted a football scholarship from Texas Christian University. As true freshman in 2012, he started all 13 games. He began the season at left tackle, before being moved to right tackle.{{cite web | last=Ubben | first=David | title=Frogs' 2012 freshman class was 'different' | website=ESPN.com | date=2013-04-10 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/65806/frogs-2012-freshman-class-was-different | access-date=2024-10-11}}
As a sophomore in 2013, he started 9 contests, the first three at left tackle and the final six at right tackle. As a junior in 2014, he was passed on the depth chart by Tayo Fabuluje at left tackle and Collins was moved to right tackle behind Joseph Noteboom. He appeared in 8 games with one start.{{cite web|title=Spring depth chart analysis: TCU|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/colleges/post/_/id/4688764/depth-chart-analysis-tcu|website=ESPN|date=May 6, 2014}}
In 2015, he suffered a leg injury in the third game against Southern Methodist University and was given a medical redshirt. As a senior in 2016, he started all 13 games at right tackle. He finished his college career after appearing in 49 games with 36 starts. He also practiced track and field.
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Collins was the top performer at his position in the 2017 NFL Combine; his official 4.81-second 40-yard dash is the third-fastest time ever by an offensive lineman, trailing only Terron Armstead (4.71 seconds) and Lane Johnson (4.72 seconds) on the all-time list. He also bench pressed 225 pounds 34 times, which tied for the second-best mark among all participants at the Combine.{{cite web|title=Aviante Collins Boasts Speed As Advantage, Runs Third Best 40 Time In History Of Combine For OL|date=March 3, 2017 |url=http://texashsfootball.com/aviante-collins-boasts-speed-advantage-runs-third-best-40-time-history-combine-ol/|publisher=NFL|access-date=May 3, 2018}}
{{external media
| video1 = [https://www.seahawks.com/video/aviante-collins-runs-4-81-40-yard-dash-183736 Collins' NFL Combine workout]
}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 1/8
| weight = 295
| dash = 4.81
| ten split = 1.69
| twenty split = 2.81
| shuttle = 4.75
| cone drill = 7.85
| vertical = 24
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 6
| bench = 34
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33 3/8
| hand span = 9 3/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine except agility drills, vertical and broad jumps from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/aviante-collins/3200434f-4c51-3500-47e4-1a8e6f8e328a |title=Aviante Collins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=February 3, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.seahawks.com/video/aviante-collins-runs-4-81-40-yard-dash-183736 |title=Aviante Collins Runs 4.81 40-Yard Dash |website=Seahawks.com |access-date=February 3, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=122480&DraftYear=2017 |title=2017 NFL Draft Scout Aviante Collins College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=May 3, 2018}}
}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
Collins was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings after the 2017 NFL draft on May 1, 2017.{{cite web|title=Vikings Agree To Terms With 13 Rookie Free Agents|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-agree-to-terms-with-13-rookie-free-agents-18813122|website=Vikings.com|date=May 1, 2017|access-date=May 4, 2017}}
He competed with Jeremiah Sirles, Reid Fragel, and Rashod Hill to be a backup offensive tackle. Collins was named the third string right tackle behind starter Mike Remmers and backup Rashod Hill to begin the regular season.{{cite web|url=https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/198/MIN| title=Minnesota Vikings depth chart: 08/31/2017| access-date=October 2, 2017| website=ourlads.com}} As a rookie, he played in three games in a reserve role.
On September 10, 2018, Collins was placed on injured reserve with a torn biceps.{{cite web|title=Vikings Sign G Bryan Witzmann, Place Aviante Collins on IR|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-sign-g-bryan-witzmann-place-aviante-collins-on-ir|website=Vikings.com|date=September 10, 2018}}
In 2019, he suffered a leg injury during training camp that limited his performance. On August 31, 2019, Collins was waived by the Vikings and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-2019-roster-cuts-53-man-roster|website=Vikings.com|date=August 31, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Vikings Fill Initial 2019 Practice Squad|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-practice-squad-2019|website=Vikings.com|date=September 1, 2019}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 14, 2019.{{cite web|title=Vikings Sign Aviante Collins to Active Roster, Place Brett Jones on Reserve/Injured|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-sign-aviante-collins-to-active-roster-place-brett-jones-on-reserve-injur|website=Vikings.com|date=November 14, 2019}} He started in the season finale against the Chicago Bears.
Collins was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the Vikings practice squad the next day.{{cite web |last1=Peters |first1=Craig |last2=Smith |first2=Eric |title=Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/2020-roster-53-man-announced |website=Minnesota Vikings |access-date=September 5, 2020 |date=September 5, 2020}}{{cite web|title=Vikings Claim LB Ryan Connelly, Add 13 Players To Practice Squad|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/ryan-connelly-2020-practice-squad-add-13-players|website=Vikings.com|date=September 6, 2020}} He was elevated to the active roster on November 21 for the team's week 11 game against the Dallas Cowboys, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.{{cite news |title=Vikings Activate FB C.J. Ham, Announce Roster Moves |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-activate-fb-c-j-ham-announce-roster-moves |website=Vikings.com |date=November 21, 2020 |access-date=December 27, 2020}} His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.{{cite news |title=Five players have contracts expire |url=https://www.fantasyguru.com/vikings-five-players-have-contracts-expire/ |website=FantasyGuru.com |date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On February 2, 2021, Collins signed a reserve/futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web|last=Popejoy|first=Curt|date=February 2, 2021|title=Steelers sign OT Aviante Collins to Reserve/Future contract|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-sign-ot-aviante-collins-211216974.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202213419/https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-sign-ot-aviante-collins-211216974.html |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |access-date=2021-02-03|website=Yahoo Sports|language=en-US}} He was waived on August 24, 2021.{{cite web|title=Steelers reduce roster to 80|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-reduce-roster-to-80|website=Steelers.com|date=August 24, 2021}}
=Dallas Cowboys=
On September 6, 2021, Collins was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.
He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 18, 2022. On August 30, 2022, Collins was waived by the Cowboys and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Cowboys Make 28 Moves To Reach Roster Limit|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-make-28-moves-to-reach-roster-limit|author=Eatman, Nick|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=August 30, 2022}}{{cite web|title=Rush, Grier & Maher Among Practice Squad Signees|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/rush-grier-maher-among-practice-squad-signees|author=Eatman, Nick|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=August 31, 2022}} On November 23, 2022, he was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad. On December 3, 2022, he was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad. On December 10, 2022, he was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad. On January 16, 2023, he was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad. On January 21, 2023, he was promoted to the active roster for the NFC Divisional Playoffs game against the San Francisco 49ers. He wasn't re-signed after the season.
=Chicago Bears=
On July 26, 2023, Collins signed with the Chicago Bears.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-26 |title=Bears sign OT Aviante Collins, waive OT Lorenz Metz |url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/26/bears-roster-moves-aviante-collins-signed-lorenz-metz-waived/ |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Bears Wire |language=en-US}} He was released on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite news|title=Roster Moves: Bears reach NFL's 53-man roster limit|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-reach-nfl-s-53-man-roster-limit-2023|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 29, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears sign 11 players to practice squad|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-11-players-to-practice-squad|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 30, 2023}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 20.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears put Braxton Jones on IR|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-put-braxton-jones-on-ir|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=September 20, 2023}} He was released on October 29,{{cite web|title=Jaquan Brisker downgraded to out for Sunday night game vs. Chargers|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/jaquan-brisker-downgraded-to-out-for-sunday-night-game-vs-chargers|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=October 29, 2023}} but re-signed to their practice squad the following day.{{cite web|url=https://nfltraderumors.co/bears-re-sign-ol-aviante-collins-to-practice-squad/|work=NFLTradeRumors.co|title=Bears Re-sign OL Aviante Collins To Practice Squad|first=Nate|last=Broude|date=October 30, 2023}} He appeared in one game as a backup offensive tackle.
Collins signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears sign 10 to reserve/future contracts|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-10-to-reserve-future-contracts-2024|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=January 8, 2024}} He was released on August 27.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears reach 53-man roster limit|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-reach-53-man-roster-limit-2024|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 27, 2024}}
Personal life
His father, Bill, was a notable sprinter at TCU, who won two Southwest Conference titles in the 100 metres in 1974 and 1975. He was inducted into the TCU Letterwinners Association Hall of Fame. His mother, Robin Stephens, received All-American honors at the University of Houston in 1984.{{Cite web |last=McClain |first=John |date=March 3, 2017 |title=Willowridge product Aviante Collins shines at combine |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Willowridge-product-Aviante-Collins-shines-at-10975753.php |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Chron.com}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://gofrogs.com/sports/football/roster/aviante-collins/1152 TCU Horned Frogs bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Collins, Aviante}}
Category:Track and field athletes from Houston
Category:Players of American football from Houston
Category:American football offensive tackles
Category:TCU Horned Frogs football players
Category:TCU Horned Frogs men's track and field athletes
Category:Minnesota Vikings players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players