Stephen Collier's playing career is over but his time with the Ohio State football program is anything but.
In an interview with Landof10.com on Thursday, the redshirt junior quarterback announced the end to his playing career. Collier penned a heartfelt letter to Buckeye Nation and said he still plans to contribute to the program in a "behind-the-scenes role, not on the field."
Collier finished his Ohio State career without ever throwing a pass but it is clear how much his time in Columbus means to him and how much those inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center appreciate what he's done.
Wow. One of the best representations of TEAM before SELF. Thank you @S13Collier! Buckeye for life.https://t.co/vyGKUBr9Ho
— Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) January 19, 2017
And here is former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom Herman, now the head coach at Texas. Herman helped recruit Collier to Columbus.
Best of luck in the next chapter of your life. You will succeed in any endeavor. Proud to have coached you.
— Coach Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) January 19, 2017
https://t.co/12v6HaeAxI
An early enrollee, Collier was a 3-star recruit and member of Ohio State's 2014 recruiting class who came to Columbus from Leesburg, Georgia. He graduated in December with a degree in strategic communications, doing so in a little more than 3 years. Collier tore his ACL last spring and missed the entirety of the 2016 season, though he helped signal in plays from the sideline.
Collier's decision to walk away from the game opens up another scholarship in Ohio State's hunt to reach the 85 limit with National Signing Day under two weeks away.
