Collins dismissed from team

By Brendan Stiles

HawkeyeDrive.com

Junior linebacker Marcus Collins has been dismissed from the Iowa football program, head coach Kirk Ferentz announced in a release issued Friday afternoon. Collins’ dismissal from the team comes hours following his arrest in Iowa City early Friday morning on charges of operating while intoxicated (OWI) and driving with a suspended/canceled license.

The news of Collins’ arrest was first reported Friday morning by KCRG-TV’s Mark Carlson.

According to the Iowa City police blotter, Collins was arrested at 1:06 a.m. CT at the intersection of Burlington and Johnson Streets downtown. In a statement, Ferentz said Collins was already in the process of serving a three-game suspension prior to his arrest.

“We will assist Marcus as he pursues other options to continue his career,” Ferentz said in the statement. “We wish him the best moving forward.”

Up until this week, Collins had been listed second-string on Iowa’s 2-deep to Anthony Hitchens at the WILL linebacker spot. The most recent 2-deep released Oct. 28 had true freshman linebacker Reggie Spearman listed in Collins’ place. Collins had seen action this season, primarily playing special teams. He was credited with six tackles and one forced fumble this year prior to his suspension and ultimate dismissal from the team.