Bartender. Dacari! Louisville football just added a huge piece to its wide receiver room in Clemson and NC State transfer Dacari Collins.
There were a few important take aways from the 2025 Louisville football spring game.
One of which was the Cards’ apparent need for another addition in the wide receiver room.
Chris Bell appears primed to step into a leadership role. He finished 2024 strong, evading many of the issues that plagued the rising senior in his earlier years.
If Bell is WR1, 1A is Caullin Lacy. The sure-handed utility knife speedster dispelled any notion that he was anything but 100% committed to Jeff Brohm and co. in a legendary Sun Bowl performance.
Louisville’s top two receivers can pick up a lot of the slack left by All-ACC first-teamer Ja’Corey Brooks. However, there’s been a true need for a third starter, particularly on the outside.
In the spring game, Louisville football QBs looked to Minnesota transfer TJ McWilliams nine times, while Antonio Meeks appears to be making major strides.
Still, a legitimate ACC starter was needed. So, the Louisville football staff identified their guy and got him.
Enter newest signee: NC State transfer, by way of Clemson, Dacari Collins.
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A Collins Mix
A former 4-star, Collins was a top 200 player out of high school. He chose Clemson over Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Oregon, and host of others.
At Clemson, Collins was an immediate-impact guy who played an important role for the Tigers’ 2021 squad.
In 2023, Collins transferred to NC State after a redshirt season in Clemson. In his two seasons with the Wolfpack, he showed flashes of brilliance.
He averaged 13.8 yards per catch and showcased big-play ability en route to four TDs.
For his career, Collins has 55 receptions for 755 yards.
Collins feels like he hasn’t even began to reach his fullest potential yet, which is what makes us so excited about his addition to the Louisville offense.
At Clemson, he saw a ton of targets, but struggled to maintain consistency in timing on balls from DJ Uiagalelei.
NC State saw much of the same in 2023 and 2024. Inconsistent quarterback play led to a litany of issues with the Wolfpack offense.
Saddled with QB changes, the 62nd-ranked scoring offense in ’24, and the 102nd-best passing offense in ’23, Collins was pigeonholed into a lesser role over the last two seasons.
Factor in his previous QB’s propensity to look most often in the direction of All-ACC stud Kevin Concepcion, and you have a recipe for a low target share and a long couple of seasons.
Still, Collins showcased an elite-level of aptitude whether the ball came his way or not.
At 6’5, 200-plus pounds, he has a pro-ready frame and speed.
Often tasked with blocking in run and pass situations, Collins was more than willing to win his ground and spring open teammates.
But its his knack for exceptional route-running, reeling in deep balls with his massive catch radius, and making plays after the catch that separates him from the pack.
Collins has 89 career targets. A ton of those were ill-timed throws or overthrows by struggling QBs. He caught 17 of 32 targets at Clemson and 38 of 57 at State.
Suffice to say the number will see a sharp increase in 2025.
With a risk-taker at QB in Miller Moss and two versatile playmakers in Bell and Lacy, you have to absolutely love the fit with Collins.
We’ll go ahead and predict it now: Dacari Collins is in for the biggest season of his career, and Louisville football will be the fortunate benefactor.
