Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins had four sacks and four interceptions in 2020.
Former University of Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins added a final but significant honor to his lengthy Hurricane resume Wednesday, when he was announced as the recipient of the Lombardi Award.
Given to the FBS player who best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi and outstanding performance and ability, the award is presented to the top player in college football regardless of position. The other finalists were Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Coastal Carolina defensive end Tarron Jackson and Alabama receiver Devonta Smith.
“Congratulations, Zaven!” TU coach Philip Montgomery tweeted Wednesday afternoon. “So proud and happy for you and your family. Looking forward to seeing where the journey leads you!”
The award was formerly given to the best college football defensive lineman or linebacker up until 2017. Other Oklahomans to win the award were University of Oklahoma defensive linemen Lee Roy Selmon (1975) and Tony Casillas (1985).
Since 2017, the winners have been Stanford running back Bryce Love (2017), Oregon safety Ugochukwu Amadi (2018) and LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (2019).
Collins, a Hominy native who concluded his TU career in December as a fourth-year junior, also won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award, both given to the nation’s top defender, and was the runner-up for the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.
He was a unanimous first-team All-American, only the second in program history, and was defensive player of the year in the American Athletic Conference, becoming the first in league history to unanimously receive a player of the year honor.
In eight games in 2020, Collins totaled 53 tackles including 11.5 for lost yardage and four sacks, four interceptions (including two pick-sixes), a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a safety.
Baby photo -- p5
Zaven Collins was born May 19, 1999, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. COURTESY/Haley Collins
Gymnastic medals -- p7
A young Zaven Collins shows off his gymnastics medals. Courtesy
Gymnastics 1st on Floor
Zaven Collins wins first place for a floor exercise routine.
Floor exercise
A young Zaven Collins performs a floor exercise routine.
Field Day 08
Zaven Collins poses for a photo after earning first-place recognition at Hominy Elementary School.
Gymnastics
Zaven Collins performs a floor exercise routine as a kid.
Gymnastics as a child -- p6
As a child, Zaven Collins participated in gymnastics. Courtesy
Zaven Collins' 96-yard interception return for TD seals TU's win over Tulane
FB Champs 2nd
Zaven Collins shows off a flag football trophy he won in second grade.
Flag football -- 2nd grade -- p4
Zaven Collins plays flag football as a second-grader in Hominy. Courtesy
Gymnastics High Bar
A young Zaven Collins performs a high-bar routine.
Gymnastics Rings1
A young Zaven Collins performs on the rings.
Gymnastics Rings
A young Zaven Collins performs on the rings.
Track, 7th grade
Zaven Collins runs in a track meet in seventh grade.
Collins_Zaven_Fishing_4963
Fishing is one of Zaven Collins' favorite hobbies.
Turkey Hunting
Hunting is a favorite pastime for Zaven Collins.
Duck Hunting -- p8
Hunting is a favorite pastime for Zaven Collins. COURTESY, Haley Collins
Deer Hunting
Hunting is a favorite pastime for Zaven Collins.
Baseball Freshman
Zaven Collins played three years of baseball at Hominy High School. He did not play as a senior.
High school -- sophomore
Zaven Collins looks for room to run against Cleveland during his sophomore year.
basketball -- high school
Zaven Collins playing basketball for Hominy High School.
Basketball -- high school
Zaven Collins playing basketball for Hominy High School.
TU camp -- 2016 -- p3
At a TU football camp July 22, 2016, Zaven Collins poses for a photo with TU coach Philip Montgomery (right) and defensive coordinator Joseph Gillespie (left). Courtesy, University of Tulsa
HS -- 2016
Hominy quarterback Zaven Collins runs during the Class A football semifinal between Afton and Hominy at Owasso Stadium on Dec. 2, 2016.
track senior year
Zaven Collins running track his senior year at Hominy.
Shot put -- senior year, 2017
At the 2017 state track and field meet, Zaven Collins placed sixth in the shot put. He also placed in the long jump.
Track and field senior year
Zaven Collins poses for a photo during the 2017 track meet.
Senior year -- jacket
At Hominy, Zaven Collins was a four-year starter on offense and defense.
Senior year -- jacket/jersey
As a senior, Zaven Collins was a Tulsa World first team All-State selection after he helped the Bucks go 14-0 and winning the Class A state title.
State Track Meet Senior2
Zaven Collins runs a relay during his senior year at Hominy High School.
Gold ball -- high school
As a senior, Zaven Collins guided Hominy to a 14-0 record and the Class A state title.
CLASS A FOOTBALL
Hominy's Zaven Collins kisses the trophy beside Colt Wilson after winning the Class A state football championship game between Wynnewood and Hominy in Choctaw on Dec. 9, 2016.
Golfing
Other than football, golf is Zaven Collins' favorite sport.
Signs with TU -- p9
Zaven Collins (middle right) is flanked by Hominy defensive coordinator Ed Green (far left), his mother Haley and Hominy head coach Scott Harmon (right) during Collins' TU signing ceremony on Feb. 1, 2017. Ben Johnson, For the Tulsa World
High school graduation -- p2
Zaven Collins and his mom, Haley, pose for a photo at Zaven's Hominy graduation in 2017. Zaven was the class valedictorian. Courtesy
ZavenandMom.jpg
Zaven and Haley Collins pose for a photo after a game last season. COURTESY/Haley Collins
TU vs Arkansas
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins tackles Arkansas quarterback Connor Noland (13) during a game in 2018.
Tulsa Football -- 2019
Tulsa's Zaven Collins wraps up Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry during a game in 2019.
Tulane game 2020
Zaven Collins tackles Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt on Nov. 19.
SMU Tulsa Football -- 2020
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins (23) slides after an interception against SMU late in the game on Nov. 14, 2020.
South Florida vs TU
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins (right) rushes in toward South Florida quarterback Blake Barnett during a game in 2018.
Tulane at Tulsa
Tulsa's Zaven Collins tackles Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt during their game at H.A. Chapman Stadium on Nov. 19, 2020.
Tulane at Tulsa
Tulsa's Zaven Collins runs through the end zone after returning an interception 96 yards for a touchdown in the second overtime to clinch Tulsa 30-24 victory on Nov. 19.
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Kelly Hines
Sports Writer
I have covered college football and college basketball for the Tulsa World since 2012. I spend my spare time as an animal rescue volunteer, focusing on spaying and neutering community cats in the Tulsa area. Phone: 918-581-8452
