LSU redshirt freshman quarterback Rickie Collins has decided to enter the transfer portal, a move confirmed by a source to The Advocate. The news was initially reported by On3 Sports.
Collins, a highly regarded four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, was ranked as the 18th-best quarterback in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Despite his high ranking, Collins found himself as LSU’s third-string quarterback during his first season in Baton Rouge. In the current season, he shared backup duties with AJ Swann, a transfer from Vanderbilt, after the Tigers’ top two quarterbacks were both injured or unavailable at various points.
When starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier suffered a shoulder injury during the first half of LSU’s game against Oklahoma, it was Swann, not Collins, who entered the game as the replacement for Nussmeier. Though Nussmeier briefly returned to the game after his injury, it was still Swann who had been Coach Brian Kelly’s preferred choice off the bench in a similar situation earlier in the season when Nussmeier had exited the Florida game for a short period. Collins, despite being a highly ranked recruit, never saw significant action on the field this season beyond a few brief appearances.
In his time at LSU, Collins finished his career with a perfect passing record, completing all seven of his attempts for 38 yards, in addition to 37 yards rushing. These modest statistics reflected his limited role on the field this season.
Collins, who attended Woodlawn High in Baton Rouge, was the 14th-ranked player in the state of Louisiana in the 2023 recruiting class. His decision to enter the transfer portal marks him as the 12th player from that class to explore opportunities elsewhere. This movement highlights the increasingly common trend of players seeking more playing time at different programs after limited opportunities early in their college careers.
With the transfer portal being an ever-growing avenue for players seeking new environments, Collins’ decision to leave LSU opens the door for him to pursue a fresh start at another program, likely one where he can compete for a more prominent role under center.