Collins played college football at Pennsylvania State University where he received many awards in football. Football News, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp and The Sporting News. Collins has also caught two of college football's great postseason awards - Maxwell Award, presented to the nation's outstanding player and the Davey O'Brien Award, which goes to the nation's top quarterback.
Collins was selected as the Carolina Panthers' first round pick in 1995 NFL Draft. His completion percentage was 52.6% and his quarterback rating was 65.6. In his second season, he led the Panthers to the NFC Championship Game. Collins threw 21 interceptions in the 1997 season and the Panthers finished 7-9, one season after advance to the NFC championship.
Collins began the 1999 season as the Giants' second-string quarterback, but soon claimed starting job. Collins began the 2004 season as the team's backup to Rich Gannon, but took over the starting role when Gannon got a neck injury in the third week of the regular season. Collins was the team's starting quarterback for the 2005 season after Gannon's departure.
