BeaversEdge Top 25 For 2025: No. 8 Thomas Collins
In the months leading up to the start of fall camp, BeaversEdge.com will be counting down the Top 25 Oregon State football players on the 2025 roster. Want to give your two cents on the rankings? Subscribe to BeaversEdge.com to join The Dam Board and weigh in on the conversation. We continue with defensive lineman Thomas Collins, who checks in at No. 8.
Thomas Collins
Defensive Line
Bio
No. 23
6-foot-1, 277-pounds
RS-Sophomore
Gothenburg, Sweden
RIG Academy
2024 (redshirt freshman)
• Played in nine games
• Totaled 14 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, a fumble recovery and three quarterback hurries
• Posted a season-best four tackles in the shutout at San Diego State. Add a 2-yard tackle for loss
• Tallied three tackles at Air Force
• Posted half a sack and three quarterback hurries in the season opener versus Idaho State
• Picked up two tackles and a 2-yard tackle for loss against Oregon
2023 (freshman)
• Played in three games. Redshirted
RIG ACADEMY
• Rated three stars by Rivals.com
• One of 30 students at the academy, which specializes in American football
Collins 2024 Recap
After playing in just three games and seeing a limited role in his redshirt season in 2023, Collins broke into the Beavers’ defensive line rotation in 2024. Partially because of a need on the DL, but also because Collins was someone who had impressed from when he first arrived on campus.
He played in nine of the Beavers’ 12 contests and would have played in all 12 if not for a minor injury following the CSU game that kept him out until San Jose State. He played 308 snaps and finished with 14 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, a fumble recovery, and three quarterback hurries.
Collins 2025 Outlook
Entering the 2025 campaign, Collins is certainly on the shortlist of Beavers who are primed for a breakout year. This will be his third year in the Beavers’ defensive scheme, and while he didn’t see a ton of action in year one, he certainly did in year two, and he’ll be looking to have his best year to date in 2025. At 6-foot-1, 277 pounds, he’s versatile enough to play multiple spots on the defensive line, and played defensive tackle and end last season.
We’ll see exactly where Collins fits into the defensive line mix this season in fall camp, but he’ll certainly be one of the Beavers’ starters. Depending on the defensive alignment, we could see him at defensive tackle or defensive end, depending on the matchups, and that versatility is key to have.
He’s a guy who has caught our eye since he arrived on campus, and he showed flashes of the impact player he can be last season. Now he has to take the next step and truly be a consistent, impactful force on the Beavers’ line, which we expect from him this season.
Previously
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