Coastal Carolina gets a ‘steal’ from LR in Larry Collins

There was very little drama when Lower Richland wide receiver Larry Collins walked into the Diamonds gym on Wednesday wearing a black sweater with a teal tie.

Collins was followed closely by his parents, Larry and Diane, who were also decked out in teal.

The highly-touted Collins inked with Coastal Carolina, one of three Lower Richland football players to sign on National Signing Day.

Collins made his decision on Sunday and never wavered. The three-star prospect also had offers from East Carolina and Wake Forest along with having contact with the new coaching staff at South Carolina until the end.

“I went down to the (Coastal) campus and it was great,” Collins said. “The coaches were great and I was set after I made my decision on Sunday. USC asked me to wait to see how it panned out with some other guys, but I went ahead and made the decision.”

Collins, a three-year starter, was putting up huge numbers before he sprained his MCL in October. In six games, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder produced 37 catches for 647 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He returnedto play in the Shrine Bowl but was somewhat limited.

But Collins said he’s all clear now.

“I’m 100 percent back,” Collins said. “I’m perfectly fine and have been lifting weights every day.”

Tymere Zimmerman, a former Shrine Bowl standout from Marlboro County, was Collins position coach at Lower Richland. He believes the Chanticleers are getting a bona fide star in Collins.

“I’ve been watching a lot of kids and Larry is just a kid that wants it,” Zimmerman said. “He is one of the best receivers I’ve seen in a long time. Coastal Carolina got a steal in this situation.”

Zimmerman said Collins’ size, speed and route running will allow him to get on the field early.

“He’s a game-changer,” Zimmerman said. “He can go up and get the ball, his physical ability is bar none. He’s a big kid that is a track kid on top of that. He ended up somewhere that really wanted him.”

Offensive lineman Phillip Flemming and defensive back Juwan Offing-Davis were the other Lower Richland players to sign. Flemming signed with Howard University while Offering-Davis decided on Cheyney in Pennsylvania.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 9:43 PM.