CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE: An 18-year-old freshman football player at Austin Peay State University tragically died in a single-car crash near the school's campus in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Friday, July 21. Jeremiah Collins was driving a 2004 GMC Canyon pickup truck at a high speed while exiting Briley Parkway West in Clarksville when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled over several times before coming to a rest in a grassy area.
Collins received immediate medical treatment at the crash site before being transported to Skyline Medical Center, where he died hours later. Authorities previously confirmed that there were no signs of impairment at the scene, according to Daily Mail. His passing was confirmed by university administrators in a news release Saturday morning, with the statement that the school community was in grief. "We are all devastated and heartbroken by the loss of Jeremiah Collins," head football coach Scotty Walden said in the release. "Jeremiah was an outstanding young man who brought an incredible attitude and energy every day. We grieve with the Collins family for their tragic loss and lift them in prayer," he continued.
Who was Jeremiah Collins?
Collins spent his senior year of high school at Murfreesboro Oakland in Tennessee, where he made a significant contribution to the Patriots' third straight Class 6A state championship campaign in 2022. The Region 4-6A Co-Defensive Back of the Year had 21 tackles (three for loss), an interception, six pass deflections, and a sack while playing on both sides of the ball and special teams. He had previously committed to Louisville before backing out and agreeing to join Austin Peay. Collins was supposed to be the Governors' defensive back this season, which is scheduled to open at Southern Illinois on September 02.
Oakland coach Kevin Creasy also mourned Collins’ death, expressing to Daily News Journal that "(Collins) was a huge asset to our championship run, but had a bigger impact in our locker room. Jeremiah was a tremendous player but an even better teammate. This terrible news has made all of us sick and heartbroken." "All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Collins Family today," Austin Peay athletics director Gerald Harrison said in a statement. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jeremiah, and we will do everything we can to support his friends, family, and teammates at this time."
"Jeremiah was a phenomenal man"
In the wake of devastating news, Collins' high school joined others in paying tribute to their former standout defensive back and receiver. "Our team has received the sad and heartbreaking news of Jeremiah Collins and his passing." Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee wrote in a Twitter post, adding, "We ask that you keep his family and teammates in your prayers during this difficult time. Jeremiah was a phenomenal man and tremendous teammate that will be greatly missed." In a subsequent tweet, the school also added that they plan to hold a prayer circle on Sunday, July 23 at approximately 5 pm Sunday on their field.
