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MOUNT UNION - Nasir Collins has spent four seasons replacing names in the Mount Union football record book with his own.
The senior running back has become the program's career leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns, points, and total yards. Some had stood for nearly a decade. Another lasted only three years.
Collins has gone past all of them.
Through six games this season, he has 4,787 career rushing yards, 72 rushing touchdowns, 83 total touchdowns, 512 points and 6,350 total yards. Those numbers grew from a career that began with 470 rushing yards as a freshman before Collins developed into one of the most productive players in Mount Union history.
In his latest game, Collins added another 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in a 26-8 victory over Glendale. Collins also completed 3 of 5 passes for 55 yards and a touchdown as Mount Union improved to 6-0.
The records now come almost as quickly as the yards.
Daunte Martin held four of the five career marks Collins has broken. Martin finished his career in 2017 with 4,291 rushing yards, 58 rushing touchdowns, 64 total touchdowns, and 388 points.
Collins has moved 496 yards beyond Martin's rushing mark. He also has 14 more rushing touchdowns, 19 more total touchdowns, and 124 more points.
Bryce Danish held the career total-yardage record with 5,351 yards, set in 2023. Collins has surpassed that mark by 999 yards.
Mount Union coach Jamie Brumbaugh began seeing the possibilities during Collins' sophomore season.
Collins rushed for 1,799 yards that year after gaining 470 as a freshman.
"You could see that his vision and balance were elite," Brumbaugh said. "He has a natural feel for the game and the ability to see things develop before they happen."
The production kept coming. Collins followed his sophomore season with 1,635 rushing yards as a junior. Through six games this fall, he has another 883 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns on only 77 carries.
That's 11.5 yards every time Mount Union hands him the ball.
The production has rarely slowed. Collins has rushed for at least 100 yards in 15 straight games dating to last season, including all six this year.
"It's been huge for our team," Brumbaugh said. "The consistency Nasir has shown every week has been a big part of our success. At the same time, it's a reflection of the work of our offensive line and the team as a whole."
Brumbaugh said the physical ability was always there. The larger change came in how Collins understands the game.
"As a freshman, Nasir had the ability and athleticism, but he was still learning how to see things develop and how to make the most of his opportunities," Brumbaugh said. "Since then, he's become much more patient and confident."
Collins' running style gives defenses several problems at once. He can find openings, accelerate through them and stay upright after contact. At 190 pounds, he has enough strength to finish runs without relying solely on speed.
"His vision allows him to find running lanes that aren't always obvious, and once he sees a crease, he has the explosiveness to get through it quickly," Brumbaugh said. "He has incredible balance and the ability to make defenders miss in space, but he's also strong enough to run through contact."
Playing quarterback has added another layer.
Collins has completed 9 of 15 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns this season. Brumbaugh believes taking snaps has made Collins a better runner because he sees the defense differently.
"He understands how defenses fit against the run and can recognize how linebackers and defensive backs are reacting," Brumbaugh said. "That experience has really helped his vision and patience as a ball carrier."
Collins' value doesn't end when Mount Union gives up the ball.
He plays strong safety and has 35 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery this season. Brumbaugh said Collins commands the back end of the defense and helps teammates get aligned properly against the run.
His personality is quieter than his statistics.
"Nasir is a quiet young man, but his presence alone establishes a level of leadership," Brumbaugh said. "He doesn't have to say a lot or be the loudest guy in the room. The way he prepares, competes and carries himself sets the tone for the younger guys."
Brumbaugh also points to something that won't appear in Collins' rushing totals: his willingness to block. Collins understands what the offensive line has meant to his success, and he embraces becoming the blocker when somebody else has the ball.
"He loves being a lead blocker himself," Brumbaugh said. "He wants to see those guys succeed just as much as he wants to make plays himself. That says a lot about the kind of teammate he is."
One prominent Mount Union rushing record remains.
Tink Stennett owns the single-season mark with 1,829 yards. Collins has 883 yards with four regular-season games remaining. Daunte Martin's single-game record of 328 yards also remains untouched.
Whether Collins reaches either will play out over the rest of his senior season. His place in the program's career record book no longer needs deciding.
College football may come next. Brumbaugh said Collins plans to study business administration and has been communicating with several schools while making college visits.
For now, he keeps adding to totals future Mount Union backs will have to measure themselves against.
Four years ago, Collins entered the program and rushed for 470 yards.
Now the chase starts with him.