Defensive back Audavion Collins has spent much of his football career trying to convince people he belongs.
Six games into his final season at Penn State, the conversation surrounding the veteran cornerback is beginning to change.
Before Penn State’s White Out matchup against USC, I spoke with NFL scouts who identified Collins as one of the players they were prioritizing in their evaluations. For someone who arrived in State College as a relatively unheralded transfer from Mississippi State, that attention represents a significant development.
It is also something Collins has spent years working toward.
“I’ve been an underdog my whole life, so it’s not new to me,” Collins said during spring practice. “I got something to prove. I always feel like I got something to prove every day.”
The numbers suggest Collins has been making his case.
Collins ranks second nationally with eight pass breakups. That places him among the most productive defensive backs in the Power Four conferences at disrupting passes.
Pro Football Focus provides another compelling perspective.
Through six games, Collins has earned an 82.6 coverage grade, an improvement from his 67.8 mark in 2025.
Opposing quarterbacks have targeted him 12 times, completing just two passes for seven yards.
That translates to a remarkable 16.7% completion rate allowed.
Perhaps most impressive is that Collins has surrendered no touchdowns in coverage.
For a Penn State defense that has struggled to find consistency, particularly against the run, Collins has become one of its most reliable individual performers.
The Nittany Lions rank sixth nationally in passing defense, allowing 149.8 yards per game. Collins has played an important role in that success.
His emergence, however, didn’t happen overnight.
Collins transferred from Mississippi State in May 2023, largely because of his relationship with cornerbacks coach Terry Smith. When Penn State underwent its coaching transition following the 2025 season, Smith’s retention helped convince Collins to return.
“Coming through the portal, coach T always had faith in me,” Collins said. “He’s a guy that I can depend on.”
That relationship has provided stability throughout Collins’ development.
He spent his early years learning behind established defensive backs, including Kalen King, Johnny Dixon and Jalen Kimber.
By 2025, Collins had earned a starting role, finishing with 47 tackles and three pass breakups.
Still, there was another step to take.
During spring practice, Collins acknowledged that becoming the oldest cornerback in Penn State’s room brought responsibilities extending beyond his individual performance.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“It’s my room, so therefore I got to do things that I didn’t do last year,” Collins said.
He spoke about bringing younger teammates along, organizing workouts and becoming more vocal in holding the secondary accountable.
It was an important admission from a player who acknowledged that he once preferred concentrating on his own preparation.
Collins also recognized how much he had matured since arriving in State College.
“I was lost, still trying to find myself,” he said. “Now, I got everything figured out.”
That growth has become increasingly evident on the field.
PFF credits Collins with 132 coverage snaps this season, where opposing quarterbacks NFL passer rating allowed stands at 39.6.
Collins acknowledged during spring practice that becoming a complete cornerback required continued refinement.
“Even though I know I’m physical, I could be more physical,” he said. “I could be more attached to the hip on my coverage.”
Collins has demonstrated the ability to challenge receivers, disrupt passing windows and limit production when targeted. Improving his tackling consistency would strengthen an already compelling evaluation.
For Penn State, the timing of his emergence is significant.
At 3-3 overall and winless through three Big Ten games, the Nittany Lions face considerable uncertainty entering the second half of the season. Their struggles have overshadowed individual performances deserving recognition.
Collins belongs near the top of that list.
His development also represents an important success for Smith, whose ability to recruit, retain and develop defensive backs has remained valuable through multiple coaching transitions.
For Collins, however, the motivation extends beyond statistical recognition or NFL attention.
He returned to Penn State hoping to help the program compete for championships. Although those ambitions have encountered substantial obstacles, his individual development has continued.
During spring practice, Collins was asked what he hoped to accomplish personally during his final season.
His answer was brief.
“The world gonna see pretty soon.”
Six games into the season, NFL scouts are already looking, and Collins is giving them plenty to evaluate.
