Eli Manning is “the man” at Ole Miss.
He is the one with the gaudy numbers, the guaranteed NFL job and the Heisman hype.
He is the one who throws the screen, the mid-range pass and the long ball with pin point, unparalleled accuracy.
He is the one who makes the Rebels receivers’ jobs easy.
But what about the guys who actually do pull in those passes, who block downfield for Ole Miss’ resurgent running game and who run routes every pass hoping Manning gets them the ball?
Chris Collins, a senior from Gloster, Miss., has had the pleasure of doing just that for four -years with Manning. And he has done it rather effectively.
Collins is the all-time leader at Ole Miss in receptions, hauling in 179 balls during his four year career, 37 more than the nearest competitor.
He leads the Rebels all time in touchdown receptions, scoring 23 times on receptions, seven more than his closest counterpart.
He returned kickoffs his first three years and even has a rushing touchdown to boot.
Collins is a model of consistency.
“I think they have good receivers and I think Chris Collins is kind of the elite guy in the group,” said LSU head coach Nick Saban. “They are all very good, and you know he’s been probably the most productive and most consistent guy over a long period of time.”
Saban said that Manning and Collins have been together for so long that it bodes well for the Rebels.
“They’ve played together now, the same bunch of guys, for what, three years, for sure,” Saban said. “And I think that probably gives them a lot of confidence in one another, and a great feel for the timing that they have, and you know, all that kind of stuff.”
Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe said even though all his receivers have produced this season on the Rebels’ way to a 6-0 Southeastern Conference record, Collins has led the way.
“We have a great group of wide receivers and a great group of young men,” Cutcliffe said. “It starts with our senior Chris Collins. They are the most unselfish group I have been around. They are very team-oriented. They can run and catch the ball, but they block. They do their job well.”
Collins also brings balance to the table, being able to do everything a coach asks of him.
He has an uncanny ability to move the chains as a possession receiver, but he also has enough speed to get behind a defensive back and produce a big play. He blocks down the field and he often takes the ball on a handoff for a reverse. He makes a defensive back’s job tough.
“He is kind of their go-to guy,” said LSU safety Jack Hunt. “He has a lot of receptions for them and he’s the guy Eli is the most comfortable throwing to. Especially if it’s a big down like third and four or five and little short plays where they need some yardage. They get in the shotgun, work him, get him open, and let Manning throw him the ball.”
But Hunt also said his speed is effective enough to do more than gain first downs.
“He is their go-to guy when they are taking their shots, and like I said, when they need a big play, they’re going to look to him too.”