TULSA, Okla. –– The University of Tulsa All-America Linebacker Zaven Collins was in Tulsa on Tuesday and met with the local media via zoom.
 
Watch the press conference HERE.
 
Collins was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals as the 16th overall selection in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 29. He became only third player in school history to be chosen in the first round of the NFL draft and the first since 1977, when offensive lineman Steve August was selected by the Seattle Seahawks as the 14^th overall selection. The other Tulsa first round draft pick was Glenn Dobbs by the Chicago Cardinals as the third overall selection in 1943.

At 6’4″, 260 pounds, Collins was one of the college football’s most dynamic defenders in 2020. A consensus All-America selection, Collins 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.
 
Collins was also unanimously chosen as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in league history to earn unanimous player-of-the-year honors, and also receiving unanimous first-team all-AAC accolades.
 
In 2020, Collins totaled 54 tackles, 11.5 TFLs for minus 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.

COURTESY TULSA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS