LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins is protecting his most important investment: his health.
The star left tackle is expected to increase the value of an insurance policy (it was $5 million last year) to protect him in the event of a serious injury in his senior season. Collins will pay the insurance company a one-time premium upon signing his NFL contract next year, according to The Advocate of Baton Rouge, La.
It's not an uncommon move for a senior prospect of Collins' stature, although the fact that he had a $5 million policy in place for his junior season speaks to how seriously he considered an early jump to the NFL even before last season began. He is considered among the SEC's top left tackle prospects for next year's draft, along with Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi and South Carolina's Corey Robinson. NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks ranked Collins No. 4 nationally at the tackle position, noting that he has "the athleticism and physical tools to merit first-round consideration." Last season, he recorded 65 knockdown blocks to lead the way for running back Jeremy Hill, a second-round pick of the Bengals this year, to rush for more than 1,000 yards.
Collins was the only LSU underclassman with a strong opportunity to be drafted this year who chose to stay for his senior year. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Baton Rouge native should be a popular preseason All-SEC pick.
And a very well-insured one, at that.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
