Brian Kelly explains why Rickie Collins was not in red jersey for spring game

LSU early enrollee quarterback Rickie Collins was not wearing a non-contact red jersey for the team’s spring game Saturday. The quarterbacks almost always wear the jersey because it helps protect them from potential unnecessary injuries during the game.

Tigers head coach Brian Kelly said the decision to put Collins in a normal colored jersey was because he did want any plays to stop short.

“Young quarterbacks, we don’t want to shut him down early,” Kelly said after the spring game. “We want to let them keep playing. It’s always been my philosophy with the younger quarterbacks to let them keep playing instead of shutting the play down early because they’re still processing. If you let them play, it’s in my opinion, it’s allowed them to process the game a little bit better instead of shutting it down with a red jersey.”

Rickie Collins was a four-star recruit in the 2023 cycle

Rickie Collins was one of the more important recruits for LSU in this past recruiting cycle, especially considering its class of 2022 quarterback and top-100 recruit Walker Howard transferred to Ole Miss.

Collins ranked as the No. 233 overall recruit, No. 17 quarterback and No. 13 players from Louisiana in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking. The On3 Industry is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services. The On3 Industry Ranking is the most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement in the industry. 

“Three-sport signal caller who balls out on the gridiron and track as well as the hardwood,” On3’s scouting report of Rickie Collins reads. “Stands 6-foot-2, 185 pounds with a 9-inch (or slightly smaller) hand. Athletic ability jumps off the tape when rolling out and on designed runs. Has a more elongated delivery, but throws an accurate ball at all levels of the field. Threw for 1,930 yards and 16 touchdowns on 113 completions with a 65% completion percentage during his junior season. Has solid ball ballistics and ability to drive the football.

“Will need to tighten up his motion in his release. Wins with his escapability and ability to extend plays. Ran an electronically-timed 4.74 40-yard dash and a 4.28 shuttle prior to his senior season. Hit 37.5 inches on the vertical as well during the spring camp circuit prior to his senior season. Jumped a 5-foot-10 high jump and a 21-foot-5 long jump during his junior track and field season. Leaping ability translates to the basketball court when he goes up to throw-it-down on dunks. Has a chance to be an immediate difference maker for a team at the Power 5 level.”