Collins signs NLI, heads to Texas Tech
Dec. 20—HUNTSVILLE — After committing to Texas Tech on July 3, Huntsville defensive back Isaiah Collins has officially joined the Texas Tech football program.
Collins signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his academic and athletic career as a Red Raider, joining Joey McGuire and staff in Lubbock.
"It's official now, and that is the next step now," Collins said. "Today is my last day of high school, and the next time I go to school I'll be at Tech. So it's so surreal."
Collins is the first member to sign his NLI on the early signing day since AJ Wilson signed for Houston Christian University.
"Number one, we are getting back to where we should be with having one or two guys go Division I," Huntsville head football coach Rodney Southern said. "Number two, I've never had a scholarship kid go to Texas Tech, so that's exciting. I know some guys on the staff and it's going to be a great situation. Isaiah is going to get a big advantage going in early."
Collins was a pivotal piece of the Hornets' defense over the last two seasons. While he started the season as the farside cornerback, he ended the year as a safety where he succeeded in his role.
Making the move helped the football team, but it helped Collins differently. The move gave him a new perspective on the game and allowed him to grow as a defensive back in multiple positions.
"I think it boasted my football IQ and forced me to face some adversity," Collins said. "I came out stronger from it."
"He is a two-year starter and two-year All-District," Southern said. "Probably the biggest thing this season was moving him to safety. He handled it and was adaptive and in the end, became a really good player at the position."
Collins was a leading factor in the defensive efforts for the Hornets team that made its deepest run in Collins' run as a Hornet. It was also Huntsville's first time in the region finals since the 2018 season.
While it set a new mark, it became an extra games in the playoffs that Collins was able to be around his high school team.
"This was the best season I had in Huntsville. It was nice and a fun time to extend the season with my brothers. I feel like we could have won state," Collins said.
With the conclusion of the Fall semester, Collins will graduate from Huntsville High School early and head to Lubbock in early January to begin his college career.
Getting in as an early enrollee, Collins will get the full spring to prepare for his college career, start working out with college coaches and learn how things will operate at the D-I level.
"I feel like it's a good thing. I can go up there and get used to the schedule and playbook," Collins said.
The Red Raiders will kick off likely in late March before playing a Spring game at some point in April. Texas Tech will play its first game on Aug. 31, 2024 against Abilene Christian at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock.
