Zaven Collins Bio
Zaven Collins is an American professional football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning several national defensive player of the year awards in 2020. Collins was selected by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and has since become a regular contributor on the team’s defense.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 269 pounds, Collins combines size with versatility, allowing him to play multiple linebacker positions. Since entering the league, he has been recognized for his instincts, tackling, and ability to impact both the run game and the passing game. His early career has reflected steady development and an expanding role on a young Cardinals defense.
Early Life and Background
Zaven Collins was born on May 19, 1999, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He grew up in the Tulsa area and attended Hominy High School in the nearby town of Hominy, Oklahoma. Coming from a region with a strong football tradition, Collins was exposed to the sport at a young age and developed his skills through youth and high school competition.
At Hominy High School, Collins was a multi-position player, lining up at quarterback, linebacker, and safety during his career. On offense, he produced 4,084 rushing yards with 54 rushing touchdowns and passed for 3,056 yards with 32 passing touchdowns, demonstrating rare athleticism and football intelligence for a young player. His ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball drew attention from college programs and helped shape his future as a defensive player.
After completing his high school career, Collins committed to the University of Tulsa to play college football. His decision to stay close to home allowed him to continue developing in a familiar environment and to represent his home state at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Collins began his college career at the University of Tulsa, where he initially had to adjust to the speed and physical demands of Division I football. He redshirted his first year in 2017, using the season to learn the defensive system, build his body, and prepare for the rigors of regular competition. The redshirt year proved valuable, as it gave him time to study the playbook and refine his technique.
In 2018, Collins appeared in 12 games and started 10, recording 85 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception in his first active season. His production as a freshman showed that he was ready to handle a significant defensive role. As a sophomore in 2019, he started all 12 games and tallied 97 tackles and two sacks, further establishing himself as one of the top linebackers in the American Athletic Conference.
His continued growth and consistent production positioned him for a breakout 2020 campaign. By his third season, Collins had earned the trust of the Tulsa coaching staff and had developed into a complete linebacker capable of defending the run, rushing the passer, and covering in the passing game.
Zaven Collins Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
During his first two active seasons at Tulsa, Collins steadily developed into a reliable defensive contributor. After redshirting in 2017, he earned 10 starts in 2018 and followed that with 12 starts in 2019, showing durability and consistency throughout his early college years. His combination of size, speed, and football IQ made him a challenging matchup for opposing offenses.
Following the 2019 season, Collins was recognized with second-team All-AAC honors, signaling that he was on the verge of a major breakout. The Tulsa coaching staff continued to expand his responsibilities, and his growth during these foundational years laid the groundwork for the historic 2020 season that followed.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Breakthrough (2020)
Collins’ junior season in 2020 was a defining chapter in his career. He returned to Tulsa as a veteran leader and one of the top linebackers in the country, anchoring a defense that featured his versatility and playmaking ability. His performance placed him among the most decorated defenders in college football that season.
He was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award, both recognizing him as the nation’s best defensive player. Collins also won the Lombardi Award, given to the best college football lineman or linebacker, and was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year. He earned first-team All-AAC honors for the second time in his career and was selected as a unanimous All-American, a rare distinction for a Tulsa player.
These accomplishments made Collins one of the most honored defensive players in Tulsa Golden Hurricane history and helped elevate the program’s national profile. His success also positioned him as a top prospect for the 2021 NFL draft.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2021–Present)
Collins was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round, 16th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $14 million, on June 8, 2021. As a rookie, he opened the 2021 season as a starting inside linebacker alongside Jordan Hicks and Isaiah Simmons, before moving to a backup role midway through the year. He finished his debut season with 25 tackles and three passes defended across 17 games and six starts.
In the 2022 season, Collins appeared in 16 games and recorded 100 total tackles, including 63 solo stops, one interception, six passes defended, and one forced fumble. A highlight came in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, when he returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown, showcasing his ball skills and field awareness. His increased production reflected a more prominent role in the Cardinals’ defense.
During the 2023 season, Collins finished with 3.5 sacks, 41 tackles, one interception, and three passes defended, demonstrating his growth as a pass rusher. On April 30, 2024, the Cardinals declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making him a free agent after the 2024 season. However, on August 3, 2024, Collins and the Cardinals agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract extension, keeping him in Arizona. In 2024, he recorded five sacks, 57 tackles, and one pass defended, continuing his development as a versatile defender.
Driving Style and Strengths
Collins is known for his size, length, and ability to play multiple linebacker spots effectively. His strengths include reading the run, pursuing ball carriers sideline to sideline, and using his long frame to disrupt passing lanes. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer, recording multiple sacks in recent seasons, which makes him a flexible piece of the Cardinals’ defensive scheme.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Collins’ early NFL career came with his 30-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. He also reached the milestone of 100 total tackles in a single season that same year, becoming a consistent every-down defender. His unanimous All-American selection in 2020 and three national defensive awards stand as highlights of his college career.
Zaven Collins Career Wins
Throughout his career, Zaven Collins has earned recognition as a standout linebacker at both the college and professional levels. While win totals are typically tracked for individual awards and team accomplishments, Collins’ résumé is highlighted by his national defensive awards in 2020, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Award. In the NFL, he has recorded multiple impactful plays, including an interception return for a touchdown and a season with five sacks in 2024.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Highlights
During his three active college seasons, Collins compiled 223 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and multiple interceptions while starting 34 games. He earned second-team All-AAC honors in 2019 and followed that with first-team All-AAC recognition and AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. His unanimous All-American selection in 2020 was a first for a Tulsa linebacker and remains one of the most decorated individual seasons in program history.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his college accolades, Collins produced several strong professional seasons, including a 100-tackle campaign in 2022 and a five-sack season in 2024. He has also been durable, appearing in at least 16 games in multiple NFL seasons and continuing to grow into a leadership role on the Cardinals’ defense.
Zaven Collins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited public information is available about Zaven Collins’ immediate family. He grew up in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area and attended Hominy High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. His roots in Oklahoma helped shape his path toward college football at the University of Tulsa.
Personal Life
Collins has largely kept his personal life private. Public details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not widely available, and he is known primarily for his focus on football and his role with the Arizona Cardinals. In June 2021, he was arrested in Arizona for speeding and reckless driving and was released from custody within an hour.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Zaven Collins is expected to play a key role on the Arizona Cardinals’ defense following his two-year contract extension signed in August 2024. His strong 2024 campaign, in which he recorded five sacks and 57 tackles, demonstrated continued improvement as both a run defender and a pass rusher. With the Cardinals looking to build momentum around a young defensive core, Collins is positioned to be a steady contributor at the linebacker position.
Throughout the 2024 season, Collins showed expanded responsibilities, including more frequent pass-rush opportunities. His ability to affect the quarterback added a new dimension to his game and gave the Cardinals additional flexibility in their defensive packages. If he can carry that production into 2025, he will remain a central piece of the team’s defensive plans.
Looking ahead, Collins will be playing on a contract that runs through the 2025 season, giving him an opportunity to solidify his long-term future in Arizona. His combination of experience, size, and versatility makes him a valuable asset, and his continued development will be an important storyline for the Cardinals in 2025.