University of Tulsa All-America linebacker Zaven Collins became the first TU player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, since 1977. He was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals as the 16th overall selection, Thursday night in Cleveland, Ohio.

Collins is only the third player in school history to be chosen in the first round of the NFL draft and the first since offensive lineman Steve August was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in 1977, as the 14th overall pick. The other Tulsa first round draft pick was Glenn Dobbs by the Chicago Cardinals as the third overall selection in 1943.

Collins was one of college football’s most dynamic defenders in 2020. He was a consensus All-America selection, and was honored with the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defensive player, while also earning the Lombardi Award.

In 2020, Collins totaled 54 tackles, 11.5 TFLs for -49 yards, four sacks for minus 25 yards, four interceptions for 152 return yards including two for touchdowns. He also forced one fumble, one fumble recovery and one safety in eight games.

In 32 career games and 30 starts, Collins totaled 235 tackles, 29 TFLs for -109 yards, 7.5 sacks for -46 yards, eight pass breakups, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He had eight career double-digit tackle games and also had two career blocked kicks.

Collins, a native of Tulsa, played high school football at Hominy High School before going to TU. On the day after he was drafted, the Cardinals team owner, Michael Bidwell, piloting his own plane, took off from Tulsa and changed his flight plan to fly over Hominy, so Collins could have a look at his hometown from the sky.

“Mr. Bidwill went out of his way and he didn’t have to do that,” Collins was quoted on the Cardinals web site. “He wanted to do it for me, and I really appreciate that.”

Bidwell said he got the idea while flying into Tulsa.

“I just thought it’d be a cool thing, for a guy coming from a small town on his way the day after being drafted, to be able to reminisce a little bit about where his football career started,” Bidwill said.

In the three seasons I watched Collins at TU, it was obvious he was a star player. He was exciting to watch and there was no doubt the past two years that he would eventually be in the NFL. His time has come, and he will likely be in the starting lineup for Arizona this fall.

The Cardinals will likely pair Collins with Isaiah Simmons as a three-down linebacker duo. Whatever his role, Collins will surely play it well.

FLAG FOOTBALL IN OLYMPICS?

The National Football League is attempting to get flag football onto the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics program as it looks to grow its global footprint. The NFL carries a lot of clout and financial influence, so I wouldn’t bet against it.

The American Flag Football League (AFFL) is the official governing body of the sport in the U.S., and founder Jeff Lewis, said nothing happens without the NFL’s involvement or approval.

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) will make the formal pitch to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but, as with most things Olympic, most of the work will be done behind the scenes.

There’s still hope for the weekend athlete to become and Olympic athlete, thanks to flag football.