Rickie Collins has found his footing as the starting quarterback for Kennesaw State. This marks his third school in just four years, a journey that has taken him from LSU to Syracuse and now to the Owls. He claimed the top job early in the 2026 season, but the road has not been smooth.
The team opened with a win over West Georgia before suffering heavy losses to Georgia State and Tennessee. Collins played in all three games, throwing for 620 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball 31 times for 133 yards and three scores, showing he can do damage with his feet. According to Yahoo Sports , Collins completed 62 passes through the first three weeks of play.
His performance has been a mix of high points and tough lessons. In the season opener, he finished with a 78.3% completion rate and scored on a 24-yard run. The next week, he connected for a 46-yard pass against Georgia State, his longest throw of the year. Yet, the team still sits in the loss column for two of the last three games. The Owls face Arkansas State next before diving into the Conference USA schedule against Jacksonville State. Fans are watching closely to see if Collins can turn the momentum around.
Collins arrived at LSU as part of the 2023 recruiting class. In his redshirt freshman year, he served as Garrett Nussmeier's backup and played in just three contests. He transferred to Syracuse for the 2025 season, where he served as a backup before taking over in the second half. Those efforts yielded 1,042 passing yards and six touchdowns, plus 126 rushing yards. Per CBS Sports, experts are now watching how he handles the pressure of being the main guy for a program looking to make its mark.
The transition from a backup role to a starter is never easy, especially when moving between major programs and smaller schools. Collins has shown he can move the chains, but the defense has struggled to keep opponents off the board. The team's offense needs to find more consistency if they want to win in the conference. His ability to extend plays with his legs gives the offense a unique look that defenses must respect.
The upcoming game against Arkansas State is a critical test for the Owls. They need a win to reset their season before facing the tougher Conference USA teams. Collins will need to protect the ball better and find his receivers down the field. The stats show he has the arm talent, but the team's record suggests the execution needs work. If they can tighten up their defense, Collins has the skills to lead them to a victory.
Football in 2026 is fast, and mistakes are costly. Collins has the experience to handle the speed, having played at three different levels. The next few games will define his season and the team's hopes. As per Yahoo Sports, the focus now shifts to the next opponent and whether the Owls can finally break their losing streak. The fans in Kennesaw are hoping this is the turn of the tide.
