Zaven Collins Bio
Zaven Collins is an American professional football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Collins rose to national attention during his college career at the University of Tulsa, where he earned unanimous All-American honors and several defensive player of the year awards in 2020. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round, 16th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft and has remained with the franchise throughout his professional career.
Standing 6 ft 4 in and playing at around 270 lb, Collins brings rare size to the inside linebacker position. Known for his tackling ability, football intelligence, and versatility, he has become a steady contributor on the Cardinals defense since his rookie year.
Early Life and Background
Zaven Collins was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 19, 1999, and grew up in the surrounding region. He attended Hominy High School in Hominy, Oklahoma, where he distinguished himself as a multi-position talent on the football field. At Hominy, Collins played quarterback, linebacker, and safety, demonstrating the kind of versatility that would later define his college and professional profile.
During his high school career, Collins piled up impressive offensive production. He finished with 4,084 rushing yards and 54 rushing touchdowns, while also passing for 3,056 yards and 32 touchdowns. That rare blend of size, athleticism, and playmaking ability drew attention from college programs, and Collins ultimately committed to the University of Tulsa to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Collins arrived at the University of Tulsa as a developmental prospect, redshirting his first year on campus in 2017 to adjust to the college level. He quickly worked his way into the Tulsa Golden Hurricane defense and became a starting inside linebacker by his sophomore season.
By 2019, he had established himself as one of the most productive defenders in the American Athletic Conference, earning second-team All-AAC recognition. The following season, in 2020, he delivered a campaign that placed him among the most decorated defenders in college football, setting the stage for his early entry into the NFL Draft.
Zaven Collins Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Collins appeared in 12 games and made 10 starts during the 2018 season, recording 85 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. The production signaled his readiness for a larger role and helped him build a reputation as a sideline-to-sideline defender. The experience laid a foundation for the breakout year that followed.
As a sophomore in 2019, Collins started all 12 games and tallied 97 tackles with two sacks, earning second-team All-AAC honors. His 2020 season elevated him to national prominence, as he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lombardi Award, AAC Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-AAC recognition, and was named a unanimous All-American.
NFL Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Collins signed a four-year rookie contract worth $14 million on June 8, 2021. He opened his rookie season as a starting inside linebacker alongside Jordan Hicks and Isaiah Simmons, but was later shifted to a rotational role. He finished 2021 with 25 tackles and three passes defensed across 17 games and six starts.
Collins took a meaningful step forward in 2022, appearing in 16 games and recording 100 total tackles, 63 of them solo, along with one interception, six passes defended, and one forced fumble. His first career interception return for a touchdown came in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, a 30-yard play that highlighted his sideline awareness and ball skills. The 2022 season marked his emergence as a three-down contributor in the Cardinals defense.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–Present)
In 2023, Collins continued to expand his role as a pass rusher, finishing the season with 3.5 sacks, 41 tackles, one interception, and three passes defended. On April 30, 2024, the Cardinals declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making him slated to become a free agent after the 2024 season. The organization quickly moved to retain him, agreeing with Collins on a two-year, $14 million contract extension on August 3, 2024.
Collins responded to that commitment with his most disruptive season to date, recording five sacks, 57 tackles, and one pass defended in 2024. He entered 2025 as a key piece of the Arizona Cardinals linebacker group, providing veteran leadership and steady production at the position.
Driving Style and Strengths
Collins is a tall, physical inside linebacker whose game is built on tackling in space, reading the run game, and rushing the passer on disguised blitzes. His college interception totals and growing NFL sack numbers show a knack for arriving at the football, while his coverage responsibilities have expanded as he has refined his route recognition. The Cardinals have used him in a variety of fronts and sub-packages, a sign of the trust the coaching staff has placed in his football instincts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Collins’ career are his 2020 unanimous All-American selection and his trio of national defensive awards, a rare sweep for a Group of Five defender. His 30-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 stands as his first NFL score. The August 2024 contract extension further cemented his long-term place with the Arizona Cardinals.
Zaven Collins Career Wins
Collins’ career is best measured in production and team impact rather than traditional win totals. He has been a multi-year starter and key rotational player for the Arizona Cardinals, while his 2020 college campaign stands as one of the most decorated defensive seasons in Tulsa history.
College Highlights
Collins capped his Tulsa career with a 2020 season in which he swept the major national defensive awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award, and the Lombardi Award. He was also named AAC Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American. Those honors followed a strong 2019 second-team All-AAC showing and an impressive 2018 debut campaign.
Other Wins and Performances
At Hominy High School, Collins served as a two-way playmaker, amassing 4,084 rushing yards with 54 touchdowns and 3,056 passing yards with 32 touchdowns. He was a first-round NFL Draft selection in 2021, a milestone that placed him among the most accomplished Tulsa football alumni in the modern era.
Zaven Collins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Collins’ immediate family remains limited. He was raised in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area and attended Hominy High School in nearby Hominy, where his football development began. Detailed information about his parents or siblings has not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Collins was arrested in Arizona on charges of speeding and reckless driving in June 2021; he was released from custody within an hour. The incident drew brief public attention early in his rookie season. Beyond that, Collins has generally kept his personal life private, with no public confirmation of a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Zaven Collins entered the 2025 season on the heels of his most productive year as a pro, with five sacks, 57 tackles, and a pass defended in 2024. His August 2024 two-year, $14 million contract extension signaled the Cardinals’ long-term commitment to him as a foundational piece of their linebacker corps. The franchise expected him to play a central role on the defense in 2025.
Through the early portion of the 2025 campaign, Collins has continued to log significant snaps as a starter and rotational defender. His combination of run-stopping power, coverage experience, and improved pass-rush production makes him a versatile chess piece for the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive coordinator.
Looking ahead, Collins is positioned to remain a starting-caliber linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals for the duration of his current contract. Continued growth as a pass rusher and playmaker would further justify the team’s investment, while his 2020 trophy sweep and first-round pedigree offer a clear benchmark for the standard he is working to meet on a weekly basis.
