April 24, 2005

Notre Dame, Ind. – Former Notre Dame tight end Jerome Collins was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round on the second day of the 2005 National Football League (NFL) draft on Sunday. Collins was drafted 144th overall by the St. Louis Rams with the eighth pick in the fifth round.

Collins, a native of Warrenville, Ill., played in 46 games during his Notre Dame career including 11 games during the 2004 season. After a prep career at wide receiver, Collins moved to linebacker early in his Irish career. After sitting out his freshman year (2000), Collins saw action as a reserve outside linebacker in 2001, 2002 and moved to defensive end during the 2003 season before moving to tight end for his final season in 2004.

He saw action in 35 games as a linebacker and defensive end, making 14 total tackles (11 solos) including one for a loss. At tight end in 2004, Collins caught six passes for 67 yards (11.2 average) including a long of 21. A stalwart on special teams throughout his Notre Dame career, Collins starred on the unit in 2004 when he blocked three punts on the season and made four tackles (three solos). Collins graduated from Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters in December of 2004 with a degree in sociology and computer applications.

If any additional former Notre Dame players are chosen, information on those student-athletes will be available on www.und.com.