Q&A: 2022 University Lab DB/LB Justin Collins

Another major wave of talent is rising through University Lab following the footsteps of so many previous stars that came through in bunches during the past decade. Alabama signee Tim Williams and LSU signees Garrett Brumfield and Nicholas Brossette helped lay the foundation for a Cubs program that finally broke through to its first title game in 25 years in 2013, then claimed its first championship since 1988 the following year. Eventual Stanford signee Malik Antoine, Tulane signee Tre’ Jackson, Alabama signee Dylan Moses, Oklahoma signee Adrian Ealy and company helped bridge the gap toward a star-studded 2019 class headlined by Virginia signee Michael Hollins, Clemson linebacker signee Bryton Constantin, Alabama linebacker signee Christian Harris, Georgia wide receiver signee Makiya Tongue, Arizona State cornerback signee [player_tooltip player_id="136779" first="Jordan" last="Clark"] and Arkansas offensive tackle signee Dylan Rathcke. And LSU defensive tackle signee Jaquelin Roy in 2020 and Texas A&amp;M defensive back signee [player_tooltip player_id="63559" first="Jardin" last="Gilbert"] in 2021 helped carry the torch on to the strong 2022 and 2023 cohorts now rising to the forefront. Long, rangy defender [player_tooltip player_id="136641" first="Justin" last="Collins"] is among the Cubs’ key seniors this fall that, after learning behind and alongside Gilbert, figures to play a pivotal role in the mission to climb back into their first championship game since 2018. The younger brother of NFL safety Landon Collins, a former Dutchtown and Alabama star, chatted this summer about his and his teammates’ mindset and workload this offseason to chase that goal and continue developing toward their futures at the next level. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VvnUGFpazIk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>How did you feel about what you saw from the group overall this spring?</strong> After the season ended, they had some boxes that we wanted to check as a team and individually as players and teammates that we wanted to check and get better at. So coming back into the spring, we really didn’t miss a beat. Everything we wanted to get better on and improve, we really did that. And I’m proud of how far we came as a team, too, with that. <strong>What were some of those things that you hoped to accomplish as a team overall and seeing that progress overall as a group, as well as you individually?</strong> Honestly, a big focus was communication. We all wanted to be on the same page so that way we could play better as a team as a defense. I know personally, after losing in the semifinals, I wanted to come back and be more of a leader, because not playing as much being behind Jardin (Gilbert) the whole season, I realized that my role was to learn as much as I could learn from him, that way when he left I could fill that role that he left. So personally when I came back, I felt like I fit more into a leader role and I was able to be that for our defense. <strong>People lead in different ways... How would you describe the way you approach that?</strong> Of course being vocal, that’s a big thing. being able to communicate and everything and making sure that I’m leading by example, but I just want my teammates to be able to look to me whenever they have questions or anything. I want to be approachable. I wanna know what the corners are doing, the strong safeties, linebackers, D-linemen. Anybody who has a question, I want them to be able to come to me and make sure they know what they’re doing. I want to be that guy they can come to, or even my coaches, if they want to be able to come to me. I want to be that guy. <strong>What are some of the areas of your game that you entered this offseason most confident in, as well as some of the areas that were maybe the big focal points for you in continuing to grow?</strong> I just feel confident that as long as I’m on the field, I can make a play. Like from being at free safety to moving in the slot at strong to being in the box at linebacker, either way, as long as I’m on the field, I feel like I can make an impact and I can be there for my teammates, keep that energy on the field and keep us moving, keep us going. <strong>We’ve talked before about your versatility and being able to play kind of all over the place... What is your mindset in terms of playing that many different roles?</strong> To be honest, it’s really easy starting out at free safety, because you’re always coming down to cover the slot anyway. And when I’m at strong safety, it helps knowing that I really don’t have any vertical responsibilities. Honestly, you just have to study the game really and study your positions. And once you study the game so much, everything just comes to you. And me being 6-2, closer to 200 pounds, honestly my body size just helps with that and me being able to move as fast as I do. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q9SruHEzW2c" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>And you see yourself with that versatility being able to translate to the next level as well?</strong> Yes, sir. Whenever coaches talk to me about maybe switching positions to an outside linebacker or strong safety type of thing or even keeping me at free safety, to me it really doesn’t matter, because wherever they put me on the field, I’m just gonna make plays to the best of my ability. So wherever I fit, that’s just how I play. <strong>Are there older players, whether guys like Jardin that were ahead of y’all at U-High or guys that you watched that were college players or pro players that you really look at and try to model some things after or guys that maybe stood out as some of your favorite players?</strong> Of course, of course. Beside my brother, I mean, he’s my favorite safety, but I can’t be biased. So my actual favorite player is Jalen Ramsey. I look to him a lot because he’s confident in his play style. And no matter whether he gets beat or not, he still lines up the next play like he’s the best player in the league. And I really took from that, because as a DB, you really can’t get stuck in your head. You really have to be confident every play. So I look at Jalen Ramsey, of course. I look at my brother, Jardin. There’s Tyrann Mathieu that I really look at a lot. I just love the way he plays, the aggressiveness and his instincts. And there’s Kam Chancellor, too. So just a different mix of safeties. <strong>If I ask you that question and Landon isn’t the first person out your mouth, would you have heard about that later on if he saw this?</strong> Of course. Because, Landon, to him, I’ve always been his No. 1 fan. So I was next to him one time, when we were at Traction (Sports) working out, and I told him, ’My favorite player’s Jamal Adams.’ And he was like, ’What!?’ And I was like, ’Nah, bro! I was just playing! I was just playing!’ And he was like, ’Oh, all right.’ So I really can’t say that when I’m around him. But when I’m by myself, I’m gonna tell you the truth and tell you Jalen Ramsey, too. My brother’s definitely my favorite player, like favorite player, but it’s Jalen Ramsey. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CqhHx6Rk3aE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>