Even though his story is more common in the modern age of college football, it bears repeating.
Rickie Collins joined the Syracuse Orange after transferring from LSU in the winter transfer window. He was
named Syracuse’s starting quarterback on April 7.
12 days later, Steve Angeli entered the transfer portal from Notre Dame. Four days later, he committed to Syracuse.
The quarterback battle that ensued in preseason training camp resulted in Angeli winning the starting job that Collins had won in the spring.
Collins only appeared in one game for 14 snaps prior to Syracuse’s game against Clemson. Then, in the third quarter against the Tigers, Angeli tore his Achilles in his left leg.
As such, Syracuse turned to the other quarterback that transferred from a Power Four conference team to start for the Orange.
“I’m very thankful that we had two [quarterbacks],” said Syracuse head coach Fran Brown.
One might think that it would be natural to sulk and lose motivation after being named a starter then losing a position battle in the same offseason. But Brown has said that Collins has continued to show high work ethic and has gotten better after losing out to Angeli. Now he gets the chance that he’s always wanted. That’s to start for a college football team.
“It just shows that you got to continue to have faith and just work really hard,” said Brown.
Because of that mindset, there is a lot of confidence from Brown and the Syracuse team in Collins. Even though Syracuse’s game against Duke will be his first start, nothing much changes for the new Orange starting signal caller.
“You got to prepare the same way, even more now,” said Collins. “You got to attack the game plan.”
The other advantage Collins will have is his friendship with Angeli. One might also think that a highly competitive battle between both quarterbacks would cause animosity between the two. But both men have stayed very close.
Collins has already learned a lot from Angeli and will now try to master the qualities that helped the Notre Dame transfer start. Collins looks to run the operation and command the game to have the offense in the right situation. One of the reasons that Brown chose Angeli over Collins in training camp was the ability to run the offensive operation more to his liking.
Collins has to get on the same page as his receivers as well. Since being named the backup, Collins has not often worked with Syracuse’s starting receivers. Those receivers have flourished under Angeli, with highlight reel plays featuring on ESPN.
Perhaps most importantly, Collins is now tasked with being the second-in-command of the Orange. Brown always wants his starting quarterback to be his right-hand man when it comes to leadership of the team. Collins has watched and learned how Angeli’s ability to make personal connections made him a quick leader for Syracuse.
“[Angeli] was very vocal,” said Collins. “He did the things that a lot of guys don’t want to do.”
What will help Collins is the support of the team and its alumni network. Collins said that former Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord had already texted him about starting now for the Orange. But most importantly, Collins has the support of his head coach.
“No one deserves the opportunity more,” said Brown.
