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This story was updated on Dec. 20 at 6:34 p.m. EST.

Former LSU quarterback Rickie Collins Jr. has signed with Syracuse, On3’s Pete Nakos reported Friday. Syracuse.com’s Brent Axe first reported Collins “intended” to transfer to SU Wednesday.

However, on his Instagram story at 8:12 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Collins said he is, “Not officially committed yet but appreciate the love…still working out some stuff.” He had previously reposted posts about his transfer to Syracuse but those were all deleted. On X at 8:45 p.m. EST on Wednesday, he posted, “I have not officially committed anywhere. My recruitment is still open.”

Collins was a four-star prospect in the class of 2023 and appeared in just four games with the Tigers from 2023-24. The quarterback has three years of eligibility remaining.

Following Kyle McCord’s move from Ohio State last year, Collins becomes SU’s second high-profile transfer quarterback commit in as many seasons. McCord, who is out of college eligibility following the Orange’s bowl game, set new single-season program passing records in yards (4,326), touchdowns (29) and completions (367).

Syracuse.com’s Chris Carlson reported on Friday that McCord is fighting for another year of collegiate eligibility. Carlson revealed McCord filed a waiver to the NCAA that would grant him an extra year but was denied. Now, he’s challenging the NCAA’s decision through an appeals process.

At the moment, Collins will join seventh-year senior Michael Johnson Jr., redshirt freshman Jakhari Williams and incoming freshmen Rich Belin and Luke Carney in Syracuse’s quarterback room. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native visited SU last week. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, who committed to Colorado Wednesday, and Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea also visited Syracuse last week.

Before committing to LSU, Collins pledged to play for Purdue on Oct. 8, 2021, but decommitted on Aug. 1, 2022. He then committed to the Tigers on Aug. 10. The signal caller also had offers from schools including Florida State, Oregon, Washington and Nebraska.

Before sitting behind future Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier, Collins was named a finalist at the Elite 11 QB camp, which annually attracts the nation’s top prep quarterbacks. He entered the transfer portal on Dec. 1.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback was rated a three-star transfer and 20th-best quarterback in the portal by 247Sports. Meanwhile, On3 rated Collins a three-star transfer and the 21st-best signal caller in the portal.

Published on December 18, 2024 at 5:13 pm

Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon