EKU Trio Earns HERO Sports All-American Honors
Collins and Nations received Freshman All-America honors, while Ross was tabbed as a Sophomore All-American.
Collins, a native of Columbus, Ohio, started all 11 games at left tackle for the Colonels. He helped EKU rank fourth in the nation in red-zone scoring (93.9 percent) and was an integral part of an offensive line that ranked 19th nationally in sacks allowed per game (1.27). An ASUN-All Conference selection, Collins helped the Colonels accumulate over 400 yards of offense in five of the final seven games of the season.
Nations earned ASUN Special Teams Player of the Year honors after leading the conference in field-goal accuracy, making 12 of his 16 attempts. His career-long 51-yarder was the longest made kick in the league and his 70 points put him second on the conference’s scoring list. A native of Tamassee, S.C., Nations was perfect on his 34 extra point attempts and kicked 31 touchbacks in 58 tries as EKU’s kickoff specialist.
Ross led the nation with three interception returns for touchdowns and was named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year. He tied for sixth nationally with 13 pass breakups and also recorded 46 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. The Perry, Ga., native was also a threat on special teams, ranking 13th in the nation with a 27.5 yard kickoff return average, highlighted by a 98-yard touchdown agains Sam Houston.
