2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Curtis Collins, DB, Notre Dame College

• • Name: Curtis Collins
• • Height: 6’1
• • Weight: 210
• • Position: Strong safety 
• • College: Notre Dame College
• • Twitter: @Collins2_curtis

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it? 

• I’m from Indianapolis, Indiana born and raised. Indianapolis is a big city with a small feel- everyone knows everyone in some sort of way. Most people know us as basketball state, so football players don’t get much love and attention but I love our new generation of creators and innovators brings more light, energy & exposure to the city.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• First would  be practice is more important to me because that’s where you work on your craft day in and day out and better yourself as a player everyday by being out there. Second would be film study. I think it’s important to know your opponents inside and out-their tendencies, their habits, their struggles, and their strengths on the field.  That way it makes practices easier because you kind of know what’s coming from scout team.Lastly, I would say strength conditioning because at this point if you’re prepared for practice to take on the running and ware and tear on yourself then you will never be.

What do you worry about, and why?

• I worry about not giving everything I’ve got on every play, practice, workout, down, and game. I think people get caught in “I did my job” mindset and I hate that type of thinking. If you go back and look at film did you really give it everything you’ve got even though “you did your job” because there is always room for improvement. If you can honestly answer that then you’ll see why I worry about that as much as I do.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• My redshirt sophomore year (2017), I failed to become an all-conference player and that picked at me during the off season. I work pissed off in a sense because I knew I was better than most of the guys they had picked before me so I worked my tail off everyday in the off season. The next season, I led my team in tackles and became an all-conference player.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• My work ethic and ability to get the most out of my teammates. I try to lead by example and practice what I preach to them so they see I truly stand for the team. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• Mitch Shegos hands down is one of the best receivers I’ve ever played against. 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football?

• I would be an entrepreneur, owning a lot of businesses and companies. I like being in control of the outcome of my future. 

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

• Room first because once you have a clean space, it reflects your internal state of being. When my room is clean I feel more productive and organized in my head as well. Then I would clean my car then desk.

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• I’m going to always put my family first no matter what. Whether they’re a distant relative or my intermediate family I would choose them. It’s family over everything for me.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

• I would be Boobie Miles in Friday night lights because Boobie had everything everybody wants as an athlete- specifically a football player. But he had the wrong mindset and attitudes towards the game and what came with it. So, if I could go back in the movie and be him I would instill him with a better mindset.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• My biggest adversity was tearing my ACL in high school. It was definitely a defining moment in my life because I had the decision to give up and quit or to find motivation and prove everybody wrong that doubted me. I turned people laughing at me about not starting and not having a lot of college offers into motivation. I work that much harder to show people they were wrong about everything. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• Getting a whooping in middle school by my mom in front of everybody. I promise I had a great semester after that.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• My most memorable play was this past season (2018). We played Fairmount State and we were down at the time. All they had to do was get a first down and run out the clock, but I got a big stop on third down that led to a blocked punt, a touch down run, and a win for my team.

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Victory Lap Intro by Nispey Hussle. The song has so much passion and bold statements in the words that you can feel deeply if you’re a critical thinker and a person that’s driven by hard work and becoming a better person.

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

• Work ethic is the most important trait anybody in this world could have because it shows a lot of character in that person’s mindset, mental toughness, and personality. I’d rather take a hard working person over somebody with talent that doesn’t feel the need to work hard. Like the famous saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• Nipsey Hussle because his impact on this world and my community was huge. He was also my favorite artist that helped me through a lot through his music. I would love to sit down and have a conversation with him on what he thinks I should do for certain situations and plans in my life.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• Chocolate City, because everybody loves sweets. And what’s sweeter than a room full of beautiful women for single men.

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Jamal Adams- people try to find flaws in his game but there aren’t too many to me because he can, and does, do anything that is needed or asked of him.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

•  Respected any day- I think once you learn to respect a person and understand where they come from and their mindset, you can learn to like them more.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• I would say Aaron Hernandez because I truly believe if Aaron Hernandez stayed and played, Gronk wouldn’t exist or be as big as he was if he was there. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

•  I hate to lose because I’m used to winning. I’m always prepared to win in everything. Winning doesn’t excite me anymore- it’s normal to me so why get excited about something you always do. I do not take winning for granted though; I am proud of a win but always looking for areas of improvement. I take a loss more personal because that means I wasn’t prepared for that battle.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

• My father, Larry Collins, is my biggest influence because without him I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today, and there would be no Curtis Collins point blank period. When I was elementary school, my father changed my sister and my last names to his because he wanted us to carry on the Collins name. Knowing that, it’s only right I make my last name a living legacy and one to remember when it’s all said and done.