Shawn Collins, a 2021 graduate of Salem High School who went on to earn All-American football honors at Emory & Henry, was in the New York Giants camp last week as a free agent.
Collins was invited to the Giants “mini camp” for three days of work outs at the Giants NFL practice facility in New Jersey. He went through drills as a defensive back and “Gunner” on the punt team, hoping to get a call back and a chance to make the Giants’ team.
The camp included about 90 players in all, including players who the Giants selected in the recent NFL draft, free agents signed after the draft and free agent players hoping to catch the eye of the New York coaches. Shawn apparently did that, as he was noticed by new Giants’ coach John Harbaugh.
“He talked to me and said he liked the way I moved,” said Collins, who wore number 29 at the camp. “I thought I did pretty well. I got an interception the first day.”
Collins was an outstanding player for Salem High’s state championship team in the 2021 spring season. The fall season was postponed due to the COVID pandemic and played in the spring of Shawn’s senior year. The Spartans defeated Lake Taylor in the Class 4 state championship game.
Collins was red-shirted during his first year at Emory & Henry as the Wasps transitioned from Division III to Division II. He was on the scout team as a red-shirt freshman, played in seven games as a sophomore and really took off his junior year, making Honorable Mention All-American. He was named to the AFCA All-American second team as a senior and finished his career as a two time All-Conference first team defensive back while making First team All-Region in ’25. He was named to the Division II Top-100 team last fall.
Shawn ended his Emory & Henry career with 13 interceptions, 67 tackles, 31 assists, four tackles for losses, a forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and 15 pass breakups. He enjoyed his time playing for Emory & Henry.
“I really liked playing there,” he said. “It felt like Salem to me.”
Collins will now wait for the phone to ring to see if he gets a call-back from the Giants. One thing is for sure, if he makes the New York team it’s not going to feel much like Salem.
