You can't tell a book by its cover. Tyler Collins, Carson's 6-foot 175-pound senior linebacker/tight end, is proof of that.
"With Ty, it starts with heart," Carson coach Blair Roman said. "He's undersized for a tight end. He's probably undersized for a (middle) linebacker a little bit. You can't measure a kid's heart, though. The way he plays, and the effort he gives. He's a very physical player for his size."
Collins credits his conditioning for his success.
"I condition as hard as I can," said Collins after a recent practice in preparation for Saturday's scrimmage against Truckee and Lassen. "I also try to rely on technique. I mean I'm always going up against bigger guys."
Collins' physicality, especially on the offensive side of the ball, paid off in first-team all-Sierra and all-region honors a year ago despite the fact he only caught two passes for 27 yards. He was just as tough on defense, registering 55 tackles despite just two games as a starter at middle linebacker.
"There were guys with better stats (at tight end)," Roman said. "He was so good at blocking. A lot of perimeter runs that Dylan (Sawyers) had, he was responsible for. That doesn't show up in the stats."
On those perimeter runs, Collins has to execute a reach block which Roman said is very difficult. Essentially, Collins has to get around a defensive player and seal that side of the line.
"A lot of it is effort," Roman said. "You have to stay with it so long."
Collins points out that is true with some other runners on Carson's team, but not Sawyers.
"He is so fast," Collins said. "I have to hold maybe three or four seconds. The reach block is all about technique and footwork. I just have to get around the end and seal off that side of the line. I have to make that block for us to be successful on the perimeter.
"I try to keep myself between him (the defender) and the ball; whatever gets the job done."
Collins always received pretty good blocking marks, though he remembers a game against McQueen where he missed a block on a halfback option pass that Sawyers threw. McQueen had a heavy rush on, and Collins' man got past him, but Sawyers was able to get the ball off.
"Dylan makes me look good a lot," Collins said. "The only notoriety I need is Dylan scoring."
Most of Collins' time last year was on the offensive side of the ball. Save for the final two games of the season, he would be inserted into the game defensively when somebody playing both ways full-time needed a breather. The Carson senior said he's looking forward to being a two-way starter this year.
"He's a two-way starter until somebody steps up," Roman said. "I don't know that he'll spend any time on special teams, but he won't coming off the field on offense and defense. He started the last two games of the season for us and played very well there."
Collins is obviously happy to hear that.
"Middle linebacker has always been my spot," Collins said. "I played that at the freshman and JV level."
A year ago, the Senators had strong senior leadership - with guys like Blake Plattsmier, Josh Peacock, Justin Barlow and Will Flores - and Collins knows that last year's juniors and sophomores need to step up this season and assume those same roles. With his work ethic, it's only natural that the Senators should look to Collins.
"I want us to continue what we did last year," Collins said. "We have to have another good season. Personally, I just want to play at the same level (or better) at tight end and linebacker, and contribute as much as I can."
Simply put, Collins will do whatever it takes to make sure Carson isn't a one-hit wonder.
THE COLLINS FILE
Year in school: Senior
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175
Position: Tight end and middle linebacker
2009 honors: 1st team all-Sierra League and all-region