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All-Arena Center John Collins Returns

November 5, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


Portland Thunder Center John Collins
Portland Thunder Center John Collins
(Portland Thunder)

PORTLAND - The Portland Thunder close out the first day of AFL Free Agency with the announcement that All-Arena center John Collins will return for his third season with the team.

The retention of the Thunder's 2015 team captain caps a day that saw seven other free agent acquisitions, including the arrivals of veteran wide receivers Rashaad Carter and Nick Truesdell.

"Being able to secure an All-Arena center like John Collins is tremendous," head coach Andy Olson stated. "He is a guy you want to build your organization around, but John doesn't just give us great play on the field. His leadership within the locker will be even more important."

Collins was the anchor for an offensive front that only allowed 19 sacks in 2015, the fifth best mark in the AFL last season, earning the lineman second team All-Arena honors. John was also the only Portland player to start every game in 2015.

Collins was originally acquired by the Thunder on May 15, 2014, and appeared in two games for Portland before being placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

The Harvard graduate played all four seasons for the Crimson and was an All-Ivy League selection his senior season in 2012. In 2011, Collins started all 10 games on the offensive line and aided Harvard en route to winning its 14th Ivy League Championship.




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Portland Thunder Center John Collins
Portland Thunder Center John Collins
   



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