With three older siblings – all of whom played college sports – Teaguen Collins had to more than hold his own when it came to family competitions. Take pickup basketball, for instance. The Collins siblings played a bunch of one-on-ones.
“I won a couple; I’d say they won the majority of them,” said Collins. “I would probably say my oldest brother, Tyren, was the best one.”
Tyren Collins played basketball at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and John Brown University while another older brother, Trenden, plays football at Emporia (Kan.) State. Older sister Taylen played basketball at Oklahoma State and Auburn.
Teaguen Collins, though, is making a name for himself just like his older siblings did. He’s entering his senior season as the starting quarterback at Muldrow.
“I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do and doing what I can to be the best, best at the sport, best at just in general, it’s always good competition,” Collins said. “I’m just keeping my head down, and we’re going to work and try to make a name for myself, and an even bigger name than my siblings have.”
Not only is he wanting to uphold the family athletic legacy (father Terry played basketball at Oklahoma State and is Muldrow’s head boys basketball coach), Teaguen is wanting to help Muldrow get into postseason play. After winning just one game his sophomore season, the Bulldogs improved to five wins in 2024. However, it wasn’t good enough to earn a playoff berth.
“We’re wanting to win a few more ball games, and starting the game out strong and like, just finishing the game out completely,” Collins said. “Because we’ve had a couple of games where we started off slow or finished slow, we didn’t just put all four quarters together the whole season and just play our best ball.”
Collins also took over as the starting quarterback last season after having previously played receiver and running back. He ended up throwing for nearly 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding exactly 1,000 yards and 12 scores on the ground.
“At first, I had to get used to it,” he said. “I’ve never played quarterback before, so like seeing stuff and knowing what everybody’s doing on the field, it was new to me. I feel like I’ve learned a decent amount, and continue to learn more about it and continue to get better.”
Plus, he got advice from Trenden, who also played quarterback for the Bulldogs.
“He just told me to keep working,” Teaguen said. “And as a receiver, there’s certain things you see and certain things that the corner will give you to tell as a quarterback, you can see that stuff from the receiver’s perspective, and so all that stuff just comes into it and helps with it.”
A year of starting experience under his belt also helps Collins’ cause this season. Collins is just as excited to work with the rest of the Bulldogs’ offense, especially the other skill position players.
“It’s gonna be amazing,” he said. “We have a very athletic group, and skilled group, you know, they’re smart. They’ve got all the characteristics you’d want from a good skill player, and it’s fun, really.”
Collins also wants to enhance his recruiting stock so he can do what his older siblings have done and play college ball. Also, he does make sure he is on top of his academics, which his parents – father Terry and mother Dee – greatly stress.
“They keep me grounded and keep me knowing what I need to do, keep me doing what I’m supposed to do, and not veer off my path,” Teaguen said.
Collins, who also plays safety on defense, is determined to make sure Muldrow isn’t sitting at home again when the playoffs commence in November.
“I’m really excited about the upcoming season,” he said. “I’m excited to just go and play against good teams, and I’m excited for our defense, excited for our offense, and excited for the special teams.”