In a stunning development, the agent for LSU prospect La’el Collins is actively attempting to remove the offensive tackle from the 2015 NFL Draft.
Fox Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer broke the news just hours before the start of the draft:
Scoopage: Agent for LSU's La'el Collins trying to pull him from this draft allowing him time to clear his name then enter Supplemental Draft
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 30, 2015
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Collins is wanted for questioning by police in Baton Rouge in a murder investigation, though he is not a suspect.
That said, the uncertainty surrounding the investigation—especially the part where Collins will not be speaking with police until after the draft, per NFL Network’s Albert Breer—has caused most teams to take Collins off the board completely, per Charles Robinson:
https://twitter.com/CharlesRobinson/status/593481408267550720
Unfortunately, there’s almost no chance Collins will be able to change his circumstances. There is an explicit rule standing in his way, as shown here by Ryan Feder:
#Collins and agent can try to get out of the draft but this section from CBA is quite explicit… pic.twitter.com/A1eEHQQ4pD
— Ryan Feder (@RyanFeder) April 30, 2015
Major obstacles for La’El Collins: He’s a senior and automatically draft eligible. Plus, NFLPA doesn’t represent him yet. He’s not a player
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2015
This is a tremendous fall from grace for the star lineman.
Even earlier this week, before the news broke of his involvement in this case—however benign it may ultimately be—Collins was projected as a top-15 pick in this year’s draft.
In light of recent events, it appears he might not be selected at all.
Photo: USA Today Sports