Collins Named Touchdown Club of Richmond's Defensive Lineman of the Year

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Virginia defensive tackle Nate Collins was selected by the Touchdown Club of Richmond as its Defensive Lineman of the Year, becoming the first Cavalier to earn the honor since Chris Long in 2007. He will be recognized at the Dudley Award Banquet on Tuesday, inside the Greater Richmond Convention Center, starting at 7 p.m.

An All-ACC first team selection, Collins emerged on the scene during his senior campaign by earning ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following stellar career outings against then No. 11 Georgia Tech and at Maryland. The Port Chester, N.Y., native finished the season ranked No. 5 in the ACC with 6.0 sacks. A part-time starter a season ago, Collins started all 12 games a set a career high with 16 tackles against then No. 11 Georgia Tech. Collins also snared his first career interception and returned it 32 yards for the go-ahead touchdown at Maryland. On the season Collins finished second on the team with 77 tackles.

The Touchdown Club will honor Richmond’s Eric Ward as its Offensive Back of the Year and the Spiders’ Matt McCracken as the Offensive Lineman of the Year. Virginia Tech’s Kam Chancellor snared Defensive Back of the Year accolades. The quartet, including Collins will be on hand Tuesday at the event sponsored by the Richmond Times-Dispatch & Touchdown Club of Richmond. To order tickets for the event, contact Mike O’Toole at 804-658-8503.