Collins selected in fourth round by Cincinnati

By Ryan Wood     Apr 27, 2008

Former Kansas University offensive lineman Anthony Collins, at long last, was selected in the NFL Draft.

Collins was picked in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Bengals as the 112th overall selection Sunday. He was projected to be a second- or third-round pick, but slipped into the middle of the fourth.

“It was a struggle waiting around in the room,” Collins said. “It was crazy, but I’m glad that it’s all over with, and I’m glad I have my home.”

His selections makes him the second Jayhawk to be picked. Cornerback Aqib Talib was selected in the first round (20th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buffalo Bills selected tight end Derek Fine later in the fourth round.

Cincinnati now will decide whether Collins is best suited as a tackle, where he’s projected, or inside at guard. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Collins could project anywhere on the line except center, an evaluation his assistants agree with.

“I think he can play either tackle or either guard,” Cincinnati offensive line coach Paul Alexander said. “When you look at him, you would say that by body type, ideally, he is a right tackle. Maybe that’s true, but I think that he’s got enough reach, balance and poise to play on the left side.”

Collins, who left school a year early to go pro, was an All-American left tackle for the Jayhawks in 2007 and a finalist for the Outland Trophy. He was KU’s right tackle in 2006.

For more on this story and other KU players getting NFL opportunities, log back on to KUSports.com.

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