Measuring the impact Beaux Collins made in his sole season with Notre Dame football

Posted by author March 4, 2025 Football

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INDIANAPOLIS — On the field, former Notre Dame football wide receiver Beaux Collins considers himself a “silent assassin.”

His game is sneaky-good that way.

Behind the scenes, especially in terms of locker-room leadership, the Clemson graduate transfer made his presence felt more directly, a concept he explained over the weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“The biggest growth I’ve made is being a leader when it’s not comfortable,” Collins said. “I tried to skate through my first couple years just being quiet, leading with energy and by example. But there’s times when a team needs a vocal leader, especially in the wide receiver group.”

Collins finished last season with 41 catches for 490 yards and three touchdowns, including the pivotal score right before halftime against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal. Those totals placed him in the top three on the Irish in all three categories, but he also had an advanced sense of mentorship that helped Notre Dame reach the CFP national championship game.

“We’re a pretty chill group, but they needed guidance for sure,” Collins said, “and there’s a lot of young guys I feel like I helped this year.”

Collins finished his college career with 132 receptions for 1,780 yards and 14 touchdowns. He profiles as a late-round draft pick at best, but the impact he made in his one-and-done season in South Bend will pay dividends for years.

“There were guys on the team that looked up to me, and they let me know that,” Collins said. “Hearing things like that, it was like, ‘All right, I’m here for a reason. They brought me here for a reason. And I have to lead.’“

Beaux Collins breaks down the future standouts for Notre Dame football

Among those who benefited from Collins’ experience: late-season breakout star Jaden Greathouse, who piled up 13 catches for 233 yards and three scores in Notre Dame’s final two games.

Collins called the rising junior “probably the best physically able receiver we had.”

“Ball skills: top of the roof,” Collins said. “Ability running after the catch, it was amazing to see during practice. I was just happy for him because I know he’s a guy that was wanting it early on in the season, but he got it when it mattered.”

Two of Greathouse’s classmates in the 2023 recruiting cycle (Rico Flores Jr. and Braylon James) hit the transfer portal after one season, but this past offseason the only outgoing transfer receivers were Notre Dame graduates Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie.

A trio of underclassmen stuck around despite extremely light usage. Collins’ mentorship might have had something to do with that.

His advice to four-star talents waiting their turn?

“Just to be themselves and to be patient,” he said. “A lot of guys come into college expecting to play (the) first year, and when that doesn’t happen they’re a little discouraged. But I’m like, ‘Hey, man, just put your head down, go to work and everything will work itself out.’“

Collins raved about three young wideouts in particular, including rising sophomores Micah Gilbert (“Very athletic, twitchy, has long speed”) and Logan Saldate (“That’s my guy”) and third-year reserve KK Smith.

“In the long run, (Saldate) is going to really help the team,” Collins said. “(Smith) can take the next step as well.”

Other rising stars on the Irish roster, according to Collins, include the following:

∎ Bulked-up linebacker Jaylen Sneed: “He’s relentless. He practices how he plays: Just full speed to the ball at all times.”

∎ Injured left tackle Anthonie Knapp, a 15-game starter as a freshman before season-ending ankle surgery: “It was just amazing to see a young dude be as mature as he was and be able to handle an SEC (defensive) line and powerful dudes.”

∎ Third-year cornerback Christian Gray, still highly regarded despite uneven play over the final third of the season: “Another longer DB. Patient as well. Very twitchy. A lot of guys may not see that, but he’s twitchy and jumps routes well.”

And, of course, freshman All-America cornerback Leonard Moore, who Collins compared at midseason to his former Clemson teammate Nate Wiggins. All Wiggins did as a Baltimore Ravens rookie first-rounder was start eight games for the AFC North champions.

“Leonard Moore is more of a longer (limbed), patient DB,” Collins said. “He’ll be physical every now and then as well. He’s going to be a heck of a DB for Notre Dame and in the league.”

Collins’ skill as an unofficial captain in 2024 suggests he might have what it takes to be awaiting some, if not all, of the aforementioned once they reach the NFL in the coming years.

Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.