“I am extremely honored to be included in the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018,” Collins said via press release. “I was surrounded by great players and coaches during my time at Penn State, and was fortunate to have been part of an unbelievably talented undefeated 1994 Big Ten Championship team. My years at Penn State were special, and I am eternally grateful for the support and guidance I received there as a student-athlete. I would like to congratulate the other members of this year's class, and to also thank the National Football Foundation for the privilege of joining the long list of Nittany Lions previously inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.”

Collins' career accomplishments at Penn State are voluminous, earning All-America status while guiding the Nittany Lions to an unbeaten 12-0 season in 1994, thanks in part to what remains as the school's all-time scoring mark of 47.8 points per game. He still holds the record at Penn State for completion percentage in a season, connecting on 66.7 percent of his attempts during that 1994 season, while also maintaining the season pass efficiency record at 172.86 in the same campaign.

Former Nittany Lion offensive coordinator Fran Ganter summed up Collins' importance to that system.

“On what was arguably one of the most dynamic offenses ever assembled, Kerry Collins was the driving force that made it go. A group that included (five) first-round draft picks, All-Americans and future NFL players looked to him for leadership, and did he ever deliver," said Ganter. "In addition to his great physical talents, Kerry managed to keep a group of superstars selfless, humble and unified in their goal to go undefeated during our historic 1994 season. He was an inspiration to his teammates in the way he prepared and the way he practiced. He possessed great character, was a terrific competitor, really tough, really smart and carried an air of poise and confidence no matter what the situation."

In his selection into the College Football Hall of Fame, Collins becomes the 25th former Nittany Lion to earn a place among the game's all-time best. He'll be welcomed officially at a Dec. 4, 2018 dinner in New York City put on by the National Football Foundation.