Villanova Univeristy Athletics

A standout defensive back who led the Wildcats in solo tackles three straight seasons, Sean Collins tallied 11 career interceptions for the Villanova defense. The local product from Cardinal O’Hara High School played for the Wildcats from 1974-77. He graduated in 1978 with a degree in Business and was inducted to the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1996.
 
It was not until Collins’ junior season in 1976 that individual tackle stats were routinely kept as part of game records. He led Villanova with 16 solo tackles during the 1975 campaign before going on to be credited with 156 total stops spanning the 1976 and 1977 seasons. His 21 solo tackles as a junior and career-high 27 solo stops his senior year were once again team highs.
 
Named a tri-captain as a senior in 1977, Collins was described that year as an inspired player and a great leader on the field. He had been named an Associated Press All-East honorable mention selection in 1976 and earned weekly recognition twice during his junior campaign. Collins was the ECAC Player of the Week after recording two interceptions and a blocked field goal in a 24-7 win over Temple to clinch a winning record in the Wildcats season finale. Two weeks earlier Collins had been a member of the weekly All-ECAC squad after he had an interception which he returned for a career-high 29 yards in a 23-10 win at Marshall.
 
Collins first career start came in the fourth game of his freshman season in 1974 when he recorded an interception in a 15-7 home win over Idaho. He would show a penchant for picking off passes during his career, with his 11 career interceptions including five in a span of six games against Delaware, Youngstown State, Boston College, Marshall and Temple to close the 1976 season.
 
In addition to generating 109 return yards on his 11 career interceptions, Collins had a kickoff return for 15 yards and nine punt returns totaling 44 yards during his career. He finished with 168 all-purpose yards to go along with 171 tackles, nine pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks.