Draft looms for QB Collins

By JAMES REESER
Collegian Sports Writer

Upon graduating from college, many students begin searching for a job. For one recent college graduate, that job may be just a few months away.

Former Penn State quarterback Kerry Collins is anticipating a call from a future employer on Sunday, April 23 -- the day of the NFL draft.

"I don't know if I'm going yet," Collins said of the draft in New York. "It's kind of not my style. I may just watch it with some friends and my family and wait for the call."

Over the last several weeks, talk has surfaced concerning Collins' delivery.

At the Senior Bowl in January, some professional scouts said Collins had a "hitch" in his delivery. Those same scouts have said his delivery may not be quick enough for the pro game because the "hitch" adds a second or two to his release. The scouts are saying the "hitch" may have developed because of the days he spent as a high school pitcher.

Since high school, Collins was drafted three times by Major League Baseball teams -- twice by Detroit and once by Toronto. But Collins said he does not see a pro baseball career ahead of him.

"The Blue Jays told me to go with football, and if football doesn't work out, they'll give me a chance," Collins said. "That's a great situation to be in."

Although some football scouts have expressed a concern for Collins' delivery, not everyone in the NFL says he has a problem.

"It's not a big problem," said Bruce Lemmerman, director of college scouting for the New Orleans Saints. "The opinion of one scout or coach is not the opinion of everyone in the NFL."

Collins said he is not concerned about changing his delivery. He added a lot of scouts have told him he throws the ball "real well" and that he should not worry about it. Collins is not, and he is also not trying to correct the "hitch."

"It's funny -- you get somewhere and your stock goes down without changing anything," said Collins, who had a 172.9 pass rating last season -- the second highest in college history. "I must have been doing something right to get where I'm at now. Why fix something that's not broken?"

Collins grew up in Lebanon County and played football for Wilson West Lawn High School in Berks County. Neither is far from Philadelphia, so for Collins, being drafted by the Eagles would provide a welcome homecoming.

"I would be interested in playing for the Eagles," Collins said. "I would just be happy to play anywhere. It's been a dream of mine to play in the NFL."

Collins said he knows the expectations would be high if he was drafted by the Eagles. But on the other hand, his family and friends are in the area and they would be able to see him play, he added.

Ever since graduation in January, Collins has been busy attending award ceremonies, working out and "taking it easy."

"I've been traveling quite a bit," Collins said. "Other than that, just working out and hanging out. I'm just kind of taking a break. It's kind of nice not having to worry about classes."

Several weeks ago, Collins and five other Lions traveled to Indianapolis to take part in the annual NFL Combines, which gives eligible college players a chance to workout in front of coaches and scouts. Although Collins did not workout, he was still interviewed by scouts and coaches and was also given a physical.

"The physical is pretty rigorous," Collins said. "I went into a room, and laid down on a table, and then I got five guys pulling on me every which way. It's pretty crazy."

Indianapolis has not been the only stop on the "Collins U.S. Tour." In New Haven, Conn., Collins was honored as a Walter Camp All-American. On Feb. 20, Collins made an appearance in Fort Worth, Texas, to pick up the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's outstanding quarterback.

On Feb. 21, Collins made a stop in Philadelphia to receive the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's top college player. While there, Collins spoke with Penn State running back recruit Aaron Harris of Downingtown, who was named the area's high school player of the year.

"Aaron's a great football player -- he's a great person and he's a strong leader in the community," Collins said. "I told him to be a strong leader and to keep (the Lions' streak of 17 wins) going, and that he's got a responsibility to uphold all that Penn State stands for."