The Pittsburgh Steelers are almost certain to draft a cornerback in the first few rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft and over the course of the last few months, several have speculated that LSU’s Jalen Collins could have their eye. Collins, however, certainly didn’t help himself off the field at LSU, according to a report that surfaced Friday.
According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, Collins failed multiple drug tests while at LSU, according to sources at four NFL teams.
1) Changing attitudes towards drugs? LSU CB Jalen Collins is a test case. Had multiple failed tests in college, per sources with 4 teams.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 24, 2015
If that’s not enough, the 6-foot-1, 200 pound underclassman also needed surgery last month to repair a fracture in his right foot. That surgery, however, shouldn’t prevent him from being ready for training camp.
Collins inexperience could also hurt him come draft weekend as he only started 10 games at LSU even though he played in a total of 39. Last season he recorded a career-high 38 tackles with three stops for losses. He also broke up nine passes and intercepted another.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin attended the LSU pro day several weeks ago and dined with the young cornerback the night before. Collins, however, was not brought in for a pre-draft visit over the course of the last few weeks.