Collins given sixth season by NCAA

Penn State defensive back Jason Collins can at last finalize his plans for the upcoming school year.

Word came from the NCAA during the second week of February that Collins' request for a sixth year of eligibility has been granted, said John Coyle, Penn State's faculty representative to the NCAA and Big Ten. Shortly after the NCAA gave its approval, Coyle said the Big Ten also gave consent for the academic plan Collins will follow.

"Everything really went smoothly and as I expected," said Coyle, who also is a professor of business logistics. "I expected everything to go well."

For Collins, everything was going well at the start of the 1995 season. He started the first three games at the hero position, but on the seventh play of an eventual 59-34 shellacking of Rutgers, he broke his left leg and missed the remainder of the campaign. He then wasn't able to play in 1996 because of the injury, and his request for a sixth year of eligibility was sent to the NCAA.

"He's glad it's over. I'm glad it's over. We're all glad it's over," said Aaron Collins, a Penn State outside linebacker who will be reunited with his younger brother Jason on the playing field. "It's a great thing. We're all real happy about it."

Throughout the ordeal, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Collins remained remarkably positive he would be given an extra year to complete his four seasons of eligibility. In late January, he said though nothing was official, he was confident the NCAA's decision would be in his favor.

"It's been a tough year," Collins said in January. "I've matured. I've learned a lot about life. I actually have piece of mind, if you can believe that."

Collins said his leg was about 90 to 95 percent, and he was going through preseason workouts with the rest of the team. He also said Nittany Lion coach Joe Paterno told him, "You're part of this team."

Collins, expected to graduate in May with a degree in elementary education, will return to a secondary that will see three of its four regular starters lost to graduation. Shawn Lee, who filled in for Collins at hero, returns.

However, Collins hasn't ruled out the possibility of moving to safety, a position he said he probably would rather play.

"Jason obviously brings experience," Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky said. "He was good enough to be a starter here, but where he is now physically remains to be seen. That is the question."

While Collins will have to wait for the coaches to make the decision as to where he plays, he at least now knows he will be playing.