2020 RB JoJuan Collins could be something special
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – JoJuan Collins took the handoff, cleared the line of scrimmage and darted to the left.
The 2020 running back from Los Angeles Dorsey bounced it outside, sprinted to the edge, turned upfield and he was gone.
Eighty-six yards for the touchdown. Running by numerous Calabasas defenders who had the angle on him until he jetted by the secondary and away he went. Untouched for the score.
Dorsey did not have much luck in its 35-12 loss to Calabasas except when the ball was in Collins’ hands. His touchdown run was the biggest highlight.
Every other time he ran the ball, Collins was incredibly difficult to bring down, churning his legs, breaking arm tackles, lowering his shoulder and taking out defenders as he would grind out difficult yards.
“What really stands out is his will to go hard every play,” said teammate and Oregon State commit Isaiah Smalls, a three-star tight end. “There were a couple runs tonight where he just ran the ball with will and power and just a refusal to go down.
“That’s something I like at running back, knowing if I’m going to make a block, he’s going to keep running. We saw he got to the edge. He bounced it out and got all the way to the end zone. That was a pretty long run. He’s a hard running back. He’s not going down on the first tackle. If he goes down on the first tackle, you’re going to feel that first tackle for sure.
“He’s nothing to play with, that monster right there. He’s a great running back and he’s going to be special before it’s all said and done.”
The resume is still limited – Collins transferred from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei to Los Angeles Dorsey for his sophomore season – but we could be looking at one of the best running backs in the 2020 class.
At 6-foot and 205 pounds, Collins is built like a jackhammer and runs like a truck. He’s fearless and hard-nosed, not afraid of contact but smart and skilled enough to get into space to use his speed.
Moments after Dorsey’s loss, Collins talked like he ran - with intensity.
“The touchdown run felt good,” Collins said. “My teammates pushed and they pulled one out for me. I asked them for it, I begged them for it. My team busted their (butt). I don’t want anybody doubting us. We come out here to play.
“They bust their butt. I don’t care what anybody says - we’re weak, let us be weak. We’ll come back and smack you in the mouth.”
As for his recruitment, Oklahoma, Utah, Georgia, Boston College and Oregon State have offered so far.
Born in Los Angeles, Collins moved to Mississippi when he was two years old. Now he’s back in Southern California and making a big-time name for himself.
USC, UCLA and Oregon have been showing new interest but once more college coaches see him this season – and next – there’s little doubt he could be a national recruit with offers from all the big players.
For Collins, for now, winning games and running hard is his focus.
“I’m a sophomore so I don’t have to worry about (recruiting),” Collins said.
“The only thing I do worry about right now is my family (his team) and my school. College right now is a big thing to me but it’s not really something I’m focused on right now.”
It will be soon. A lot of coaches could be calling.
