Nate Collins


Nathaniel Allen Collins is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He has played Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars, after originally signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Virginia.

Professional career

Jacksonville Jaguars

Collins was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 13, 2010. He played in one game in 2010 and 12 games during the 2011 season. He scored a touchdown in 2011 on a fumble recovery against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In February 2012, a Virginia state trooper arrested Collins and charged him with the possession of a small amount of marijuana. Less than a month later, the Jaguars rescinded the exclusive rights free agent tender placed on Collins, making him an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any team.

Chicago Bears

Collins was signed by the Chicago Bears on May 23, 2012. On July 20, 2012, Collins was suspended for 1 game after violating the league's substance policy. In 2013, Collins was set to become a restricted free agent, though he was signed to a one-year deal on March 14. In week four against the New Orleans Saints, Collins tore his ACL, and missed the remainder of the season. Collins was placed on injured reserve on October 9. Two days before the start of the 2014 free agency period, Collins re-signed with the Bears on a one-year deal. The Bears released Collins on August 23, 2014.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Collins was signed as free agent on April 10, 2015 by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

Personal life

Collins attended King Low Heywood Thomas in Stamford, Connecticut. He graduated from University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology on May 20, 2012.
In April 2011, Collins and New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz started the clothing brand, Young Whales. The line, a play on words of a high-stakes casino gambler "whale", was ready for purchase online by September 2011.