The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Alfred Collins selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by San Francisco 49ers
04.25.2025 | Football
The defensive lineman went 43rd overall in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
GREEN BAY, Wisc. – Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins was taken 43rd overall in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers Friday night.
Collins is the fifth Longhorn defensive tackle selected in the last three NFL Drafts (third in the top two rounds of the last two NFL Drafts) and also becomes the eighth Longhorn selected among the top-50 picks of the last two NFL Drafts. Collins is the first Longhorn drafted by the 49ers since CB Tarell Brown was selected in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He's also the fourth Texas Longhorn to be drafted so far in this year's draft, joining OL Kelvin Banks Jr. (first round, ninth overall, New Orleans Saints), DB Jahdae Barron (first round, 20th overall, Denver Broncos) and WR Matthew Golden (first round, 23rd overall, Green Bay Packers).
"When you think about our run of defensive tackles, Alfred is a guy who had the opportunity to play behind and learn from some real pros," Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "That helped him a lot, and he embraced it by being patient and seizing the moment when his opportunity came."
"Alfred is a big, physical player. He's a guy that has really grown up in our program. He's an excellent first and second down player who also has the ability to rush the passer on third down. His senior year was a great one, and he made plays in the biggest moments, but he's just tapping into how good he can be. I really think his best football is ahead of him and he'll do great things for the San Francisco 49ers."
A native of Bastrop, Texas, Collins had a five-year career as a defensive lineman who started all 16 games during the 2024 season and earned Second-Team All-America selection from the Associated Press. Last season, Collins registered 55 total tackles (27 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, seven pass break-ups, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. Following Texas' 20-10 road win at Arkansas on Nov. 16, Collins was lauded as the SEC's Defensive Lineman of the Week.
Thanks to Collins' presence in the trenches, Texas led the FBS in total interceptions (22) while ranking No. 2 in turnovers gained (31) and team passing efficiency defense (104.56) in 2024. UT also ranked third in the FBS in total defense (283.4 ypg), scoring defense (15.3 ppg) and red zone defense (0.692), while also sitting seventh in the nation in passing yards allowed (173.8 ypg). During his time on the Forty Acres, Collins played in 64 games with 27 starts.
QUOTES FROM ALFRED COLLINS
On the moment of being drafted:
That was amazing, an amazing feeling. To be able to get the opportunity to play again, win some more games. Man, it was amazing being with all my family. Everybody that helped me along the way. It was fantastic. I don't even have words.
On his interaction with the 49ers before the draft:
It was just getting to know me, getting to know me as a person because they see the player on the field, but they just wanted to see who they were bringing in the locker room. So that's really it.
On if he thought San Francisco was a legitimate possibility:
I was open to wherever. They're taking the chance on me, not going to be a mistake. So, I'm just blessed.
On what he brings to the locker room:
What I bring to the locker room, a competitive mindset. I'm ready to learn from those that have done it before me. I'm ready to come in and do whatever I can to win games and I'm going to be a good teammate to my teammates.
On his durability at Texas:
I feel I've grown more value. I could play any position on the defensive line at a high level. So that's really what the talks with the 49ers were about.
On the upside of his development at Texas:
I would say just week to week, going against the best of the best. And then also just the work that had to be put in to be good. Because you can't not put in work and then go play Georgia or Arkansas. I feel like got a little bit of a little glimpse of what it can be like in the NFL or what it is going to be like in the NFL.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"The run will be stopped."
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 26, 2025
Alfred Collins is coming in on a mission 😤 pic.twitter.com/1oWBg42LTK
Alfred Collins is headed to San Francisco 🤘 pic.twitter.com/bfbcd7IXSe
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 26, 2025
The 43rd pick was used in the trenches.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 26, 2025
Trenches: ✅✅ pic.twitter.com/wbvCpfEGvX
🗣️ Welcome to the Wild Wild West pic.twitter.com/LT7FwCTp8j
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 26, 2025
Reinforcing the D-Line ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Dl392unmdc
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 26, 2025
