Dallas Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: DT Alfred Collins

We proceed our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that might curiosity the Dallas Cowboys. Right now we’re taking a look at defensive deal with Alfred Collins from Texas.

Alfred Collins

DTTexas Longhorns Senior5-star recruit 6’5”322 lbs

Photograph by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs

Historical past

Alfred Collins was born on October 8, 2001, in Bastrop, Texas, and grew up within the close by city of Cedar Creek, the place he attended Cedar Creek Excessive Faculty. He comes from an athletic household—his mom, Benita Pollard, was a standout basketball participant on the College of Texas from 1990 to 1994, which seemingly influenced his determination to observe in her footsteps and attend the identical college.

Throughout his highschool profession, Collins excelled as a three-sport athlete, taking part in soccer, basketball, and monitor and area (shot put and discus). On the soccer area, he was a dominant pressure, amassing 253 whole tackles (180 solo and 73 assisted), 74 tackles for loss, and 18 sacks over his profession. His senior yr alone noticed him document 86 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, incomes him District Defensive Lineman of the 12 months honors and a spot within the 2020 All-American Bowl. Rated as a five-star recruit, Collins was extremely wanted, finally selecting the College of Texas over affords from powerhouse applications like Alabama, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M.

At Texas, Collins joined the Longhorns in 2020 as a real freshman throughout the COVID-19-shortened season, taking part in in all 10 video games and beginning one. He recorded 22 tackles and confirmed early promise as a rotational participant on a veteran-laden defensive position, contributing to a 7-3 Longhorns workforce that completed with an Alamo Bowl win.

In his second season, Collins appeared in all 12 video games, beginning three, as he started carving out an even bigger function. He tallied 25 tackles (15 solo), 5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. The Longhorns struggled to a 5-7 document, however Collins emerged as a dependable depth piece.

Collins performed in all video games in 2022, beginning one, and continued to develop his bodily presence. He posted 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack, contributing to an 8-5 season.

In his senior yr, Collins appeared in all 14 video games with seven begins. He recorded 22 tackles (14 solo), two tackles for loss, two sacks and two go breakups, refining his abilities as a run-stopper. The Longhorns went 12-2, profitable the Massive 12 title and reaching the CFP quarterfinals, with Collins taking part in a gentle supporting function alongside stars like T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II.

Granted an additional yr of eligibility resulting from COVID, Collins seized a starring function, beginning 16 video games. He notched 55 tackles (27 solo), six tackles for loss, one sack, seven go breakups, and a compelled fumble, incomes First-Staff All-SEC and Second-Staff All-American honors. His efforts helped Texas go 11-2, and attain the CFP once more.

2024 Statistics

593 Defensive Snaps55 Complete Tackles6 Tackles For Loss18 Complete Pressures 1 Sack7 Move Breakups1 Pressured Fumble1 Penalty

NFL Mix/Professional Day

Vert- 26” (14%)Broad- 96” (6%)

Awards

All-America (2024)First-team All-SEC (2024)

Scorecard

Total- 80.0Speed- 78Acceleration- 88Agility- 79Strength- 93Tackling- 89Pass Rush- 80Run Protection- 86Discipline- 98

THE GOOD

Collins is likely one of the premier run-stoppers within the 2025 draft class.
He anchors with a large base and highly effective decrease half, not often getting displaced by single blockers.
His means to stack, shed, and management gaps makes him a two-gap terror, usually resetting the road of scrimmage with violent hand strikes.
Shows elite grip power and upper-body energy to dissect blocks. His lock-peek-shed approach stands out, he reads blocking schemes shortly, engages with a two-hand strike, and discards linemen.
Affected person and disciplined, not often caught out of place. Excels at absorbing double groups and sustaining hole integrity, liberating up teammates.
Performed a number of alignments (0-tech, 1-tech, 3-tech, 4i, 5-tech) in Texas’ hybrid fronts, exhibiting adaptability for each 3-4 and 4-3 schemes.
Appeared in 64 video games over 5 years, with no main damage historical past past just a few minor accidents.

THE BAD

Lacks dynamic burst or twitch to constantly threaten as a go rusher.
Depends closely on a bull rush or long-arm transfer, however lacks a refined plan or counter strikes when stalled.
Whereas agile for his measurement, Collins doesn’t have the horizontal explosiveness to chase performs outdoors his body or recuperate if his preliminary transfer fails.
His top-end pace is common, limiting his vary.
Often performs too excessive, permitting technically sound linemen to get into his chest and neutralize his energy.
Must refine leverage to maximise his size.
As a fifth-year senior he’ll be 23 getting into the NFL, older than some friends within the class.

THE FIT

Alfred Collins is a throwback defensive deal with—large, bodily, and nasty on the level of assault. His 2024 season showcased his means to dominate the run sport and disrupt performs with size and energy, making him a direct early-down contributor within the NFL. His pass-rush abilities want improvement, however his body, soccer IQ, and flexibility provide a basis for development. For a workforce searching for a trench warrior to clog lanes and set the tone, Collins is a Day 2 steal with starter potential in the proper system.

He’s greatest utilized as a 3-4 nostril deal with or 4-3 1-technique in a gap-control protection that prioritizes stopping the run. His elite run-stopping means and bodily instruments make him a protected, high-floor choose, however his restricted pass-rush ceiling caps him outdoors Day 1 and extra seemingly a late Day 2 possibility.

The Dallas Cowboys would look to faucet into Collins’ strengths as a run-stuffing defensive deal with together with his measurement and energy. He would look to play as a 1-technique nostril deal with the place his means to anchor in opposition to double groups and disrupt blocking schemes would shine for Dallas. Collins’ expertise at Texas—taking part in 0-tech, 1-tech, 3-tech, and even some 4i/5-tech—offers him the pliability to adapt to the brand new teaching plans.

Collins might step in as a Day 1 rotational participant, seemingly spelling or difficult Mazi Smith for snaps on the 1-tech. His means to eat blocks and reset the road of scrimmage would bolster Dallas’ run protection, significantly on early downs. Pairing him with Osa Odighizuwa (who has simply signed a contract extension) would create a balanced entrance—Odighizuwa’s quickness complementing Collins’ measurement and energy.

If Smith doesn’t pan out, Collins might declare the beginning nostril deal with function by the next season, anchoring the road for years.