RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's Payton Collins has been named to the Stats Perform FCS All-American team as a First Team selection on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Collins was a preseason All-American selection before the season by the publication and was recently named First Team All-UAC for his third consecutive all-conference selection.
 
In 2024, Collins was dominant upfront throughout the season, anchoring the Colonels' offensive line for the sixth straight season finishing his career with 56 career starts for EKU including all 13 in 2024 as EKU went 8-4 in the regular season finishing in the FCS Playoffs.
 
A Hula Bowl All-Star invitee, Collins helped pave the way for EKU's rushing attack that posted 2,422 rushing yards, the third most in the conference, and 4,522 yards of total offense and 36 total touchdowns.
 
For the entire season, he earned a pass block grade of 87.3 per Pro Football Focus.
 
He follows in the footsteps of former teammate Josiah Ezirim who earned All-American status from Stats Perform last season before being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft.