Texas WR Collins dismissed
Updated: January 3, 2010, 9:13 PM ET
By Tim Griffin
ESPN.com
Texas junior wide receiver Brandon Collins has been dismissed from the Longhorns team a day after he was arrested in Pflugerville, Texas, on two first-degree felony charges.
Collins is redshirting this semester and not with the Longhorns in Pasadena as they prepare for their Thursday night game against Alabama in the Citi Bowl Championship Series title game.
Texas coach Mack Brown confirmed that Collins had been dismissed in a statement released Sunday afternoon by the school.
"We're aware of the situation back in Austin with Brandon Collins," Brown said. "We've talked with Brandon and his family and he has been dismissed from the team."
Police in Pflugerville, a suburb north of Austin, say Collins is suspected of driving a vehicle involved in an armed robbery.
According to police, the victim was approached in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant by a man holding a gun and demanding money. Police say the man jumped in a car as it sped off, and the car was pulled over a short time later.
Collins and two other men were charged with aggravated robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity.
KVUE-TV in Austin reported that Collins was released from Travis County Jail after posting bonds totaling $35,000.
After producing 35 catches as a sophomore last season, Collins was suspended before the season for academic issues. Collins was practicing with the team but has not played in any games this season.
Collins becomes the third Texas player arrested since Nov. 15. Kick returner D.J. Monroe and defensive back Marcus Davis also have been arrested during that time. Monroe rejoined the team after his driving while intoxicated charges were dismissed. Davis will transfer from the Texas program.
Before the season started, Collins was expected to back up Jordan Shipley and become a big part of the Texas receiving rotation. But the development of young players in the program like James Kirkendoll, Malcolm Williams and Marquise Goodwin made the position one of the most stacked on the Texas roster. And the position became deeper when Darius White, the No. 1 wide-receiver recruit in the state of Texas in the Class of 2010, committed to Texas on Saturday.
Tim Griffin covers college football for ESPN.com. You may contact him at espntimgriff@yahoo.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
