In the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected defensive lineman Alfred Collins from the University of Texas 43rd overall.
"(The 49ers are) taking the chance on me, not going to be a mistake," Collins said after being drafted. "So, I'm just blessed."
Collins made it clear what fans can expect from him on the field:
"The run will be stopped... They're getting a run stopper for sure."
He sees the run game as his specialty, and it's clear the 49ers drafted him with that in mind.
"Just great pad level, elite hands, great feet, play recognition to know what block is coming to you and then just getting off of blocks, doing your job at a high level," Collins said.
Collins played five seasons for the Longhorns and was a steady presence on one of the nation's most competitive defensive lines.
He earned second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press in 2024 and was named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2023. Over his career, he totaled 142 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks across 63 games with 26 starts.
Collins highlighted his versatility as a key strength, sharing that his ability to line up anywhere along the D-line adds value in a rotational system like San Francisco's.
"I feel I've grown more value. I could play any position on the defensive line at a high level."
At 6'6" and 332 pounds, Alfred Collins turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine with his combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He recorded a 26-inch vertical and an 8-foot broad jump.
"He's a legit specimen," an NFL personnel director told NFL.com. "With the right coaching, he could end up taking off and becoming the best interior player in this class."
The defensive lineman is eager to join the team and make an immediate impact, both on the field and in the locker room. He emphasized his team-first mentality as a core strength he's bringing to The Bay.
"I bring a competitive mindset," Collins said. "I'm ready to learn from those that have done it before me. I'm ready to come in and do whatever I can to win games, and I'm going to be a good teammate to my teammates."
