DAX COLLINS

Poteau High School

Earning a selection to the VYPE Top 100 collection of athletes isn’t an easy ticket to get given the level of player talent on the high school gridiron in Oklahoma that continues to attract nationwide attention from Division-I college football programs. For Dax Collins, a 6-foot 183-pound senior at Poteau High School, the recognition of performance is a repeat award for the four-year starter for the Pirates. 

After considering multiple scholarship offers including 11 from Division-I level programs, Collins decided to continue to play in front of the home state fans when he made a mid-summer commitment to the Golden Hurricane at the University of Tulsa.

“From the start, T-U just felt like home. The coaches have shown nothing but love for me and made me feel truly wanted, not just offered,” Dax said in choosing T-U over the other schools. 

The past two seasons, Collins has averaged over 10-yards per carry while rushing for more than 2700 yards and scoring 38 touchdowns. Defensively, Dax has been a game changer in the Pirates secondary recording eight interceptions while totaling more than 80 tackles per season from his free safety position.

“It’s the part of football that I enjoy most,” said Collins who was recruited by T-U as a defensive player. “I’ve grown to love the contact. And, to be a really good football team, you have to be good defensively. I want to help my team be great.”

Veteran head coach Greg Werner doesn’t hold back on his thoughts about Collins admitting he’s one of the best players he’s ever coached.

“Dax is a special talent,” said the 35-year veteran head coach. “Believe me when I tell you, Dax is an even better player now than last year. He’s the total package that will make plays others won’t on both sides of the ball. He also makes everyone around him better because of his leadership.”

Werner notes that not only does Collins fit the mold in every part of the Pirates football scheme, he’s just as important in the other sports he plays including basketball, baseball, track and powerlifting. The opportunity to be a multi-sport player is something that Collins says makes him a better athlete.

“I believe that I can play anywhere on the field, wherever my team needs me,” Dax said in a voice of commitment. “Every sport has that one mental part about it that makes me learn from everything and makes me a better football player.”