University of Connecticut Athletics
Tommy Collins Signs Free Agent Contract With Green Bay Packers
4/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 28, 2003
STORRS, CONN. - University of Connecticut tight end Tommy Collins agreed to terms on a free agent contract with the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
"It would have been nice to have been drafted and to see my name come up on the screen, but I’m very happy because I’m exactly where I wanted to be and since I wasn’t taken late, I had the opportunity to pick my team," Collins said. "It didn’t take but five minutes after the draft ended that Green Bay called me. I had a great workout with the Packers and they scouted me hard. I know I will fit in well with the Packers system and I can bring a lot to the table with my ability to long snap and play tight end or even fullback. This is the best fit for me by far. Green Bay was high on my list all along because it’s a very good opportunity for me and a perfect fit. I’m excited about going there and having an opportunity to be a part of the great Packer tradition."
Collins appeared in 42 career games for UConn as a fullback and later a tight end. Collins went on to start a total of 16 games as a tight end, including all 12 games in 2002. He recorded 69 career catches for 802 yards and 10 touchdowns after making a catch in each of his final 15 career games. Collins had a breakthrough season as a senior when he served as a team captain and led the Huskies with 39 receptions for 497 yards with six touchdowns to earn All-Independent honors from CollegeFootballNews.com. The 39 catches marked the fifth-best season ever for a UConn tight end while both his six TDs in 2002 and his 10 career TDs tied for second best ever by a UConn tight end.
"This is great that Tommy is going to have an opportunity to attend an NFL camp where he has a great chance of making the club," UConn head coach Randy Edsall said. "He’s a good fit for that team and I know from personal experience that Green Bay is an organization filled with excellent people. John Dorsey (Director of College Scouting) is a UConn graduate and a former All-American here, Darrell Bevell (quarterbacks coach) was my wide receivers coach here in 1999, and I worked with John Jones (Executive VP and COO) when we were both in Jacksonville with the Jaguars, so I know first hand that he’ll be in excellent hands to start what will hopefully be a prosperous professional career. I wish Tommy the best in all of his endeavors."
Collins, a native of Jacksonville, Florida and a graduate of Bishop Kenny High School, will attend the Packer’s mini-camp next weekend in Green Bay. He is expected to graduate from UConn in May with a degree in finance.
