Wide receiver Beaux Collins is looking to make his final season of eligibility an impactful one for the Fighting Irish. A graduate transfer from Clemson, Collins adds much-needed experience and production to a depleted Notre Dame wide receiver group. The veteran pass catcher should play a key role in what could be a high-flying Irish offense led by transfer quarterback Riley Leonard (Duke).
In three seasons at Clemson, Collins caught 91 passes for 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns. His stats include five catches for 55 yards in two games over the past two seasons against Notre Dame’s top-tier secondary. Collins likely would have been an undrafted free agent if he had opted for the NFL. Now, he can potentially play his way into combine invites and onto draft boards next year.
Beaux Collins Set to Shine
A lean 6’3”, 210 pounds, Collins went to Clemson as a four-star prospect alongside high school teammate DJ Uiagalelei, who is now a quarterback at Florida State. The California natives, who attended St. John Bosco in Bellflower, Calif., are likely to face off in November when the Seminoles visit South Bend.
After battling shoulder and foot injuries the last two seasons, Collins is healthy heading into Summer camp and the 2024 season. He met with reporters recently to discuss his final collegiate season.
“This year I’m definitely locking in on my physical health, mental health, all of the above,” Collins shared at his press conference. “Eating right, getting great sleep. I kind of did a little research—nothing too serious. I know guys in the NFL, they get like 12 hours of sleep a night. I’m not there yet. I’m close, like 8, maybe 8 ½ if I get to sleep in on a Saturday. I just try to focus more on things like that: taking amino acids, things that will help my body repair itself after beating it up in fall camp or a game. I feel the best I’ve felt in my life.”
Collins No Stranger to Notre Dame
Collins has faced Notre Dame twice in his collegiate career. The Irish beat the Tigers 35-14 in 2022. Collins suffered a shoulder injury in that game on a hit from Cam Hart. The injury caused Collins to miss four of the final five games that season. As a result, he concluded the year with 22 catches for 373 yards and five touchdowns. Last season, the Tigers avenged the defeat. Clemson prevailed 31-23 and Collins was the leading receiver for the victors. He caught three passes for 37 yards.
“Their physical presence,” Collins continued during his media availability about what he remembered most about playing against Notre Dame. “When Notre Dame walks onto the field, you know you’re in for a dogfight. You have to strap it up for sure. Just the legacy that’s here.”
“Notre Dame was definitely in my top choices,” Collins added of his initial college recruitment period. “I never really put out like a set list, but in my mind, Notre Dame was definitely one of those spots.”
Collins went on to discuss the transfer out of Clemson. He made just a single campus visit.
“The exposure and the network that they have here (Notre Dame),” Collins said of his chief reason for transferring to Notre Dame. “It’s second to none. One of the greatest universities of all time. Also coach [Mike] Brown being the new [wide receivers] coach. He got there the exact same week I took my visit. It was kind of like perfect timing.”
Summer Retreat
Collins is just one of a host of transfer players Notre Dame will field in the coming season. He joins Leonard, defensive end R.J. Oben (Duke), kicker Mitch Jeter (South Carolina), and fellow receivers Jayden Harrison (Marshall) and Kris Mitchell (FIU).
Collins is already developing chemistry with his offensive teammates, having spent time with them in May. Leonard hosted a retreat for Notre Dame quarterbacks and receivers in his hometown of Fairhope, Ala. The attendees included CJ Carr, 2025 recruit Deuce Knight, Mitchell, Jayden Thomas, Jaden Greathouse, Harrison, and Deion Colzie. The teammates stayed together in an Airbnb rental. The trip included workouts and meetings with former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, who resides in Fairhope.
“That was an amazing trip,” Collins said to the media. “We were at Philip Rivers’ house. He had a lot of knowledge that he shared with us about how he dissected film, how to be a better teammate. He gave us wisdom every day. It was a great trip. We all meshed together.”
Leonard also made an impression on Collins during the Alabama excursion.
“The only stories I’ve heard like that are guys who are already in the NFL,” Collins said. “The fact that he’s doing this, he’s serious about his business. He wants us to grow closer off the field, so that when we do come together this year, there’s no kinks in the link.”
Eyes on the Prize
With his combination of talent and experience, Collins is poised to make a significant impact for the Irish in the coming season. Regardless of the outcome, Collins appears determined to transform potential into performance. The pivotal question is whether Collins can remain healthy in his final season of eligibility. He opened up to the media about his desire to win and stay healthy.
“I feel like I’m a good asset to this team,” Collins declared. “Nothing less than a National Championship this year. We have a lot of older guys that came along with me this Spring and have gotten here in the Summer. And we have one mission on our minds and that’s to get it all. It’s one step at a time, though. We have to focus on getting our bodies ready this Summer as we head into Fall camp.”
