4-star DL Kelby Collins sets commitment date

Many of the best in the 2023 class made decisions this summer, and Kelby Collins is now ready to add his name to that list.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive lineman out of Gardendale (Ala.) is the No. 60 prospect in the On3 Consensus, and he will commit to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, or South Carolina on Aug. 13.

At one time, the four-star was planning to take his recruitment the distance and announce during the Early Signing Period in December. But over time, the process wore on Collins. During the summer, he started thinking more and more about making a decision before his senior season.

Decision still to come

That is what he’s decided to do. The date is set, but he still has to figure out the school it will be.

“My mind is not made up yet,” Collins told On3. “One day it is one school, then the next, it is another one. I still have to think about this some more. I am in between schools right now. There is some more time for me to figure it out, so I will keep praying about it and working to do that.”

Collins plans to make a traditional announcement on Aug. 13. He will have five hats on the table and choose the one he is committing to.

Oklahoma has always been viewed as a school on the outside. South Carolina made an impression on the No. 7 defensive lineman in the country, but the Gamecocks aren’t looked at as a strong contender. Then you have three SEC powers: Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Each at different times could have been considered the leader for Collins in recent months.

“It is tough,” he added. I think a lot about a couple of different schools every day, so this might come down to a gut feeling.

… I know I can’t go wrong on any school on my list. All five schools still talk to me, but there are a few that I talk to more than the others. It is not an easy decision, but I know it is one that I have to make here soon.”

Kelby Collins offers quick thoughts on the five finalists

ALABAMA: “It is a hometown team, and I know a lot of people there. I am close with recruits and players that are either at Alabama or that are going to Alabama.”

FLORIDA: “The staff at Florida and I are really close. I like their coaches and some of their coaches and players are from around the same area I am from, so that stands out. I have a lot in common with guys at Florida.”

GEORGIA: “I really like Georgia’s culture and the way coach Scott produces defensive linemen.”

OKLAHOMA: “The coaching staff is cool. Coach Bates, coach Chavis, and coach Venables made Oklahoma a top school for me.”

SOUTH CAROLINA: “Coach Beamer is a great coach. He is a strong coach that has put great players in place to be successful.”