Freshman Football Star Kelby Collins a Name To Remember

The class of 2023 in college football recruiting has already revealed apparent Power Five talent and Alabama defensive end Kelby Collins belongs on that list.

HOOVER, Ala. -- While the morning session of the Dex Preps Elite Camp got going, there was a slightly late-arriving young prospect jogging into the stretch line with a more than slightly-ideal frame. 

Campers, onlookers and coaches alike collectively turned around with an undeniable 'who is this?' expression on their faces.

SI All-American's on-site staff did the same before finding out it was Kelby Collins. The Gardendale (Ala.) defensive end, standing 6-foot-4, 230 pounds as a high school freshman, was probably the most physically impressive prospect set to compete that day. 

Come testing, individual drills, one-on-ones and everything in between, Collins wasn't just a great-looking prospect. He was simply one of the best despite the youth. 

A few college programs have already discovered as much and the scholarship offer process is under way.

"I've got a couple offers," he told SI All-American. "Auburn, I got one from Kentucky and UAB. UAB came a couple of weeks after the season ended and the other came when coaches came to the schools (in January)."

Perhaps the top edge performer during the day, Collins has the ability to win with speed, length and a counter move inside at an early age. 

"My edge rush, how I'm able to get off the ball so easily and just continuing to do it over and over again," he said of his strengths. "Even if I fail the first time I'm going at it again." 

[Top Performers from the inaugural Dex Preps Elite Camp in Alabama]

Collins looks to have a high ceiling as a defensive end prospect with the size and athleticism already on the high end of the spectrum.

He says his family is littered with great height including his 5-foot-11 mother and 6-foot-8 father, a former Division I basketball player. Collins also compliments his game on the gridiron with hoops, suggesting not only great footwork but also the ability to add mass once football is the sole focus.

"My dad, my uncle and my grandfather are like 6-6," he said. "My uncle and my dad played basketball and my dad (Andrew Collins) played basketball at New Mexico State." 

Early on it looks like Collins will be the most coveted athlete in the family despite having three more years of high school football ahead of him.

The rising sophomore will approach the recruiting process with patience despite the rise in profile.

"I'm going to take it how it comes and try not to let it get to my head," he said. "I'm just trying to get better."

While Collins won't immediately accept any new offer extended his way, he says, there is one prominent program he is excited to work to earn an offer from.

"I like Alabama, that's my favorite team right now," he said. "They came up to the school and said they wanted me to come to the camp. I'm going there, Clemson the first week of June and UAB, but I don't know the date on that." 

As a freshman, Collins racked up 60 tackles while playing varsity ball, including seven tackles for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles. He helped Gardendale reach the second round of the Alabama state playoffs during the program's eight-win campaign in 2019. 

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