Trae'Kerrion "Trae" Collins Named First Team Elite All-American
Mississippi State Commit Earns National Recognition as One of America's Most Versatile Defensive Backs
Elite All-American recognizes only twenty-two First Team selections nationwide following a comprehensive evaluation of the country's premier high school football players.
Selection is based upon on-field production, performance against elite competition, football character, leadership, positional excellence, versatility, and long-term projection.
Being named First Team Elite All-American represents one of the highest honors awarded annually by Elite All-American.
The best defensive backs don't wait for opportunities.
They create them.
Trae'Kerrion "Trae" Collins has built his reputation by consistently changing games with turnovers, physical play, and explosive athleticism.
Following an outstanding season at Ridgeland High School and continued success against elite competition, Collins earned First Team Elite All-American recognition as one of the nation's premier defensive back prospects.
Already committed to Mississippi State, Collins enters his senior season as one of the most complete safeties in the Class of 2027.
Why Elite All-American Selected Him
Elite All-American evaluates defensive backs who consistently influence winning.
Collins earned First Team recognition because of his elite instincts, physicality, ball production, and ability to contribute in every phase of the game.
Whether making tackles in the box, creating turnovers in coverage, or contributing offensively, Collins repeatedly demonstrated exceptional football intelligence and versatility.
His ability to consistently produce game-changing plays made him one of the strongest defensive evaluations in the inaugural Elite All-American class.
Friday Night Football
Collins developed into one of Mississippi's premier defensive playmakers during his career at Ridgeland High School.
2025 Junior Season
Defense:
- 60+ tackles
- 5 interceptions
Offense:
- More than 700 all-purpose yards
- 11 total touchdowns
Throughout the season, Collins consistently demonstrated the ability to impact games on both sides of the football while helping Ridgeland compete at one of Mississippi's highest levels.
His physical style and natural instincts made him one of the state's most complete football players.
National Evaluation
Elite All-American evaluators closely followed Collins throughout national offseason competition.
Against many of the country's premier athletes, he consistently demonstrated:
- Outstanding football instincts
- Excellent closing speed
- Physical tackling ability
- Strong ball skills
- Positional versatility
- Leadership
Collins repeatedly displayed the ability to diagnose plays before they developed, allowing him to create turnovers and eliminate explosive plays.
His consistency against elite national competition reinforced his standing among the country's premier defensive backs.
Complete Defensive Playmaker
Collins brings the type of versatility every defensive coordinator values.
His experience playing multiple positions has given him a complete understanding of offensive concepts, allowing him to anticipate routes and react quickly to developing plays.
His willingness to contribute offensively has also sharpened his ball skills, making him even more dangerous once the football is in the air.
Elite All-American values players capable of affecting games in multiple ways, and Collins consistently demonstrated that ability throughout the evaluation process.
Recruiting Journey
Collins attracted significant attention throughout the recruiting process.
After initially committing to Ole Miss, he reopened his recruitment before ultimately committing to Mississippi State, citing the Bulldogs' defensive tradition, coaching staff, and long-term vision for his development.
His commitment represents one of Mississippi State's most significant in-state recruiting victories in the 2027 recruiting class.
Looking Ahead
Trae'Kerrion "Trae" Collins enters his senior season recognized as one of America's premier defensive back prospects.
His combination of toughness, versatility, production, and football intelligence provides every opportunity to become an impact player at the collegiate level.
Elite All-American proudly recognizes Trae'Kerrion "Trae" Collins as a First Team Elite All-American, honoring both his accomplishments and the complete defensive skill set that distinguishes him among the nation's elite defensive backs.
Player Snapshot
- Position: Defensive Back
- Elite All-American Team: First Team
- Primary Position: Safety
- High School: Ridgeland High School
- City, State: Ridgeland, Mississippi
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Graduation Class: 2027
- College Commitment: Mississippi State
Elite All-American Evaluation
Trae'Kerrion "Trae" Collins earned First Team Elite All-American recognition because he consistently demonstrated one of the nation's most complete defensive back skill sets throughout the 2026 evaluation process.
His physical style of play, outstanding instincts, turnover production, versatility, and leadership repeatedly distinguished him against elite competition. Whether making tackles near the line of scrimmage, creating takeaways in the secondary, or contributing offensively, Collins consistently proved capable of changing the outcome of football games.
Elite All-American proudly recognizes Trae'Kerrion "Trae" Collins as one of eight defensive backs selected to the inaugural First Team, honoring a player whose toughness, versatility, and playmaking ability represent the highest level of defensive football.
