Reginald C. Collier (born May 14, 1961) is a former professional American football quarterback. Best known as a dynamic college football star, he had a short-lived professional career in both the United States Football League (USFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Early years
Collier’s grandparents didn't allow him to play football until his junior year in D'Iberville High School, when he became a starter at quarterback, until breaking his collarbone after playing in three games (all of them wins).
As a senior, he guided his team to a perfect 13-0 record, while also playing safety on defense. He received MVP honors in the state's high school all-star game. He also practiced basketball.
College career
Collier accepted a football scholarship from the University of Southern Mississippi under head coach Bobby Collins, who was using the veer offense and promised him that he could play quarterback. As a freshman, he was a backup behind Dane McDaniel.
He became a starter as a sophomore, leading the team to a 6-0 start, with victories over the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University (in back-to-back weeks) and the first Associated Press Top 25 ranking in the program history (No. 20 on October 21, 1980). The team beat McNeese State University 16-14 at the Independence Bowl, for the school's first bowl game win in history. He tallied 1,268 passing yards, 7 passing touchdowns, 464 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.
As a junior in 1981, he had a season for the ages, when he became the first quarterback in NCAA Division I history to pass and rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season, posting 81 out of 139 attempts for 1,004 passing yards and had 153 carries for 1,005 rushing yards. He accomplished several noteworthy victories in school history, against Mississippi State University, Florida State University and tying the University of Alabama 13-13 at Legion Field in Birmingham, when he led the offense down the field for a dramatic game-tying field goal. He had a career-high 186 rushing yards against the University of Texas at Arlington. He finished with a 9-2-1 record, was ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting and helped the school achieve its highest Associated Press ranking ever (No. 9).
In 1982, Collins left and Jim Carmody took over the head coaching responsibilities. He changed the offense and the team struggled with a 7-4 record. Still Collier posted 1,265 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 803 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He also had a 38-29 historic win against Alabama, ending their 57-game winning streak at Bryant–Denny Stadium.
He finished his college career with 3,662 passing yards, 2,304 rushing yards on 446 carries, 5,977 yards of total offense (school record), 16 passing touchdowns and 26 rushing touchdowns.
In 2000, he was inducted into the USM Athletic Hall of Fame and was selected along with Brett Favre, to the Southern Miss Team of the Century. In 2008, his collegiate No. 10 Jersey was retired by Southern Miss and became one of three players in school history to have been given this honor. In 2008, he also was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Birmingham Stallions
Collier was selected by the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League in the first round (third overall) of the 1983 USFL Draft. He injured his hip in the season opener and started being platooned with Bob Lane. He suffered a season ending knee injury in the tenth game, after registering 5 starts, 604 passing yards, one touchdown, 253 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. It was later known that after being separated from the team, he started drinking and using drugs.
On January 12, 1984, the team signed quarterback Cliff Stoudt and traded Collier to the Washington Federals in exchange for a number one draft choice (#1 Jerry Rice) and the rights to center Joel Hilgenberg.
Washington Federals / Orlando Renegades
In 1984, he was being platooned with Mike Hohensee during the pre-season, until he was relegated to the backup position after the opening game of the season.