University of Central defensive lineman Thomas Collins grew up in Sweden
UCF Knights defensive lineman Thomas Collins was a late-bloomer to the sport of football.
That's what happens when you grow up in a country known more for hockey. Collins, who spend his childhood years in Sweden, didn't pick up football until he was a teenager.
"My Dad was in the U.S. Navy for 20 years," Collins said. "Me and him used to toss the football around and watch the Super Bowl. I grew up playing hockey and soccer. I didn't start playing football until I was like 13 or 14. Once it started, I realized you could tackle without getting penalized, it was all go."
Collins has since learned the game well enough to become a contributing player at the FBS level. He began his career with the Oregon State Beavers before transferring to UCF after last season.
Collins said he excelled in Sweden even though football wasn't popular.
"It's not really a big sport but we have great government support," Collins said. "You can learn about the game and go to school at the same time."
Last year Collins, who is from Gothenburg, Sweden, started all 12 games for the Beavers. He finished with 30 tackles, a half sack and two pass breakups. He knew UCF was his new home once he met Knights defensive tackles coach Kenny Martin.
"It was basically the first time I met with him," Collins said. "He picked me up at the airport and the whole ride back to the facility we just talked about football and pass rush moves and the details of the rush in order to be successful ... and his love for the game."
Collins, a redshirt junior, is likely a candidate to earn a starting spot once fall practices begin. He said things have gone relatively well during spring drills.
"I think it's been good," Collins said. "I've learned a lot and just the details of the pass rush and moves that I've known before and when to use them and how to transition from the run game to the pass game, those small details that change the whole aspect of the game."
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of UCFRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com