Beaux Collins trying to catch on with Giants as undrafted free agent
Giants wide receiver Beaux Collins during training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., on Saturday. Credit: Ed Murray
Like a lot of kids, Beaux Collins hoped to be an NFL player. It just took a different path from what he might have expected while growing up.
Instead of shaking commissioner Roger Goodell’s hand, Collins went undrafted when he came out of Notre Dame. However, the wide receiver impressed in Giants rookie minicamp and now is fighting for a roster spot during training camp.
Collins is glad to end up where he has, even if it wasn’t the way he envisioned. It’s added some motivation and helped him turn a few heads after nine practices.
“It’s kind of surreal that I’m even in this position,” he told Newsday. “I had dreams of being in the NFL, but now I just have to put the work in day in, day out. When a dude doesn’t feel like doing it, I have to. That’s been my mindset.”
It’s a path most rookies face in training camp. For first-round picks such as Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter, camp is the first taste of a possible long career. For guys such as Collins and Dalen Cambre, another undrafted free agent, there’s just hope that you’ll get more than a taste.
Collins got his share of first-team reps this past week when Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson were held out of team drills for injuries. Collins’ 6-3 frame makes him an easy target, and he’s been physical with blocking downfield.
There also have been some speed bumps in his path. Collins was held out of practice Friday and Saturday and worked off to the side with training staff.
Still, he’s fine with grinding for an opportunity. It’s a change from being a former four-star high school recruit in Los Angeles, but he doesn’t mind. There’s no need for an attitude adjustment because the acclaim early in life made him want to work harder, not rest on his accolades.
“I’m blessed to be here, but I have a chip on my shoulder,” Collins said. “I try to go out there every day and just display it. Play full speed. Play fast. Even if I’m wrong, play 100%.”
After posting modest numbers for Clemson over three seasons — 91 receptions for 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns — Collins transferred to Notre Dame last season. He was the team’s second-leading receiver with 490 yards on 41 catches and helped the Fighting Irish reach the championship game in the College Football Playoff.
The output didn’t get him drafted, though, so Collins is learning ways to impress the Giants aside from his hands and route-running. With Bryce Ford-Wheaton out for the season because of an Achilles injury, Collins is getting more familiar with mastering special teams as another way to make the roster.
“I’ve had to step in some roles, things like playing gunner,” Collins said. “I’ve never played a rep of gunner in a game. It’s exciting.”
His approach at camp has not gone unnoticed. Coach Brian Daboll called him a “young professional” for how he handles his business off the field as much as his intelligence in picking up the playbook quickly.
Daboll noted that Collins, even as an undrafted rookie, fits in with the type of players the Giants drafted and targeted in free agency for being tough.
“He’s progressing,” Daboll said this past week. “He’s an interesting guy to coach because of his size and speed, but his intelligence and his toughness, too. I’m excited to see him continue to grow, but he’s done well for himself here.”
Collins’ mentality was sharpened at Clemson, where he saw how coach Dabo Swinney demanded pro-like attitudes from sleeping habits to watching more video. It’s helped him to quickly absorb the Giants’ playbook and stay ready regardless of whether he’s done first- or second-team reps.
It’s also helped handle being far removed from his high praise entering Clemson or Notre Dame. Fighting for a roster spot isn’t the way Collins envisioned his NFL journey would go, but he’s loving the challenge and the renewed motivation it brings to keep working harder.
“It definitely makes you appreciate every snap you get, every rep, every coaching point,” he said. “Having a chance to make the team is the best possible position. I know some dudes that are some ballers that are sitting at the crib right now, so I’m just blessed to have this opportunity.”
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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