Collins putting together great season

Barrinton Collins plays on a great team, he has great statistics and now the running back from Corona (Calif.) Centennial is hoping the offers start coming in.

Collins, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound prospect, said he'll remain patient especially since he was a slot receiver last season and moved to running back so there isn't a lot of highlight tape on him but he's putting up such great numbers that it will be hard for college coaches to ignore him.

He rushed for 169 yards and five touchdowns on 19 carries in a 45-0 win over Norco, Calif., this past weekend. Those numbers aren't all that surprising. Through eight victories this season, Collins has 1,245 yards and 24 scores.

"It's going pretty good," Collins said. "A lot of schools are in their season, worried about their season right now, so the offers aren't going to come until after the season. I'm not putting my head down, I'm ready to go each week and I'm coming out ready to do my thing.

"Last year I played that slot position so a lot of people have seen me there and they haven't seen me run the ball. They don't really know if I'm consistent but I'm here to show them I'm consistent. Each week I'm getting better and better."

Florida State, Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA, Fresno State, Montana and Montana State are all showing interest in Collins but no school has offered. Recruiting has gone slow for Collins much like it had for teammate Michael Eubank, who's finally starting to pick up more offers each week.

But it's a little befuddling to Centennial coach Matt Logan, who admits that Collins is a little undersized but he's so productive that it's hard to believe that some colleges wouldn't take a more serious look at him.

"What's wrong with him?" Logan asked. "I know he's a little bit small but there are plenty of small guys playing all over the place. He's a heck of a back. That's his natural position. He makes me a better coach."

For now, Collins will remain patient and hopes to keep winning and putting up big numbers. After the season, the Centennial back is thinking more teams will get involved and he'll have some options.

"We'll see how it goes over the next couple months," Collins said. "I just plan to keep playing it by ear. I know they have to do a lot of research. There are thousands of backs out there. They have to watch game film and they need to meet the person and the parents. It's a lot of work so I'm just waiting."