University of South Dakota Athletics

2019
Had an interception in the first quarter of the first game of the season, but sustained an injury on the play and didn’t return to play until early October … earned his second interception of the season in his second game back against 14^th-ranked Northern Iowa (10/19) … totaled eight starts in all … finished third on the team in passes defended with five breakups to go with his two picks … had five tackles and recovered two fumbles, including the one that sealed the win in the final moments of the Coyotes 24-21 win against SDSU on Senior Day (11/23) … had 24 tackles on the season, 16 solo, including a season-high six against top-ranked NDSU (11/16) … had two tackles-for-loss

2018
Led the nation in passes defended per game (14 passes in seven games) … was the team’s seventh-leading tackler in the seven games he played with 27 stops … forced a fumble in the first quarter of the season opener at Kansas State that produced a field goal and gave USD an early lead (9/1) … returned an interception 30 yards to set up a short touchdown in the Coyotes’ 31-24 win against Southern Illinois in the conference opener (9/29) … had a season-high eight tackles in the Dakota Days win against #24 Missouri State (10/6)
 

Mark Collins, Jr. with the interception to get the Coyotes into the redzone offensively. pic.twitter.com/egs8A2emP7

— South Dakota Football (@SDCoyotesFB) September 29, 2018

2017
One of 18 redshirt freshmen who competed for the Coyotes … played in 12 of 13 games and started five of the last six games at cornerback … led the team with seven pass breakups … intercepted a pass on the second play of his collegiate debut, which came in a season-opening win at Drake (9/2) … finished as the team’s 12^th-leading tackler with 34 including 27 solo stops, 1.5 for loss and 0.5 sacks … had a season-high nine tackles in the team’s playoff win at No. 22 Nicholls (11/25)

2016
Redshirted … was named Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week (leading up to Illinois State)

Prep
Collins was named to the all-Eastern Kansas League for two consecutive seasons ... career stats include 98 tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and 11 touchdowns ... as a junior, led the league in kick return yards ... letttered three years at Blue Valley West and also played baseball for the Jaguars ... was on the Principal’s Honor Roll from 2012-15

Personal
Parents are Mark and Darlene ... Sport Marketing & Media major.