Baton Rouge QB Rickie Collins signs with LSU
The Tigers have their quarterback for the 2023 class officially on board. Rickie Collins, a Baton Rouge native, has signed with LSU after a long and winding recruitment that took him from Purdue to his hometown school of LSU.
“It’s the hometown and it’s a blessing to be recruited by them,” he said. “The change from Coach O to Coach Kelly, they came back into the picture, talking and continuing to talk and try to build up that relationship.”
From Woodlawn high school, Collins flipped his commitment on Aug. 10 and has not only stayed solid, but closed down his recruitment and been a vocal advocate for the Tigers program with other in-state players. Collins’ incredible athleticism opens the door for quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan to continue to mold and shape him as he enrolls for his freshman year in January.
Sloan, of course, took the lead in Collins’ recruitment, but offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and head coach Brian Kelly were also ones who pushed to get him throughout the recruiting process after a summer where quarterback recruiting featured several names from across the country.
“I’ve been talking to and building a relationship with coach Sloan since Louisiana Tech, so just keep growing that relationship because you never know where he might end up,” Collins said.
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Exceptional talent level
Collins is the No. 202 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s the No. 14 overall quarterback and No. 12 overall prospect in Louisiana.
As a junior, he was named District 5-5A Offensive MVP after throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. This offseason, he impressed at the Elite 11 Finals, making his way into the top performers from On3.
“He brings leadership and he brings just that experience of being a four year starter,” Woodlawn head coach Marcus Randall told On3. “And obviously, talent just to be able to push the ball down the field and make plays…He’s been playing for four years and he has seen pretty much everything right now. You know, being a leader for his offense and for his team.”
Collins has work to do before he’s ready to take the field, but he should have plenty of time with three names currently in the room still with plenty to prove. Regardless of how many other quarterbacks are at LSU in the fall, Collins should be able to step in and focus on himself in year one to put himself in the best position for the future. Sloan did an excellent job with Jayden Daniels in his first year in Baton Rouge, so there’s hope that Collins continues to take the strides forward in 2023 and beyond.
