With the 67th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys picked up a Big Ten defensive tackle.
Dallas selected Nebraska’s two-time second-team All-Big Ten DT, Maliek Collins. Collins, a junior, chose to bypass his senior season and declare for the draft.
In high school, not only was Collins an opposing offense’s nightmare, but also a state champion wrestler. NFL scouts were impressed by Collins being able to transition his grapple from wrestling to the gridiron.
Collins started 12 of 13 games for the Huskers in 2015. He recorded 29 tackles with seven for a loss.
He earned a spot on the 2015 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team, was elected as a team captain and helped the Huskers rank ninth nationally in rushing defense, allowing less than 110 yards per game.