Cody “Bubba” Collins poses for a picture before the game against Fitchburg St. on Sept. 9. Photo by Olivia Maher.

Cody “Bubba” Collins is excited to be back on the field with the Castleton Spartans football team. A senior out of Newport, Vermont, Collins played in all 10 games last year, recording 55 tackles, including 10 for a loss, which ranks third all-time in a single season at Castleton. He also forced two fumbles and recovered both of them. With a goal of leaving a legacy at Castleton University, he hopes to further improve his game in the 2017-18 season. We caught up with Bubba to learn a little bit more about him.

Q: Considering this is your senior year, what are your goals and expectations for the upcoming season?

• A: You know I’ve been playing college football since 2012 and I’ve been all over, so my goal right now is to be better than I was last season. I had a pretty solid 2016 season, but I’m looking to be better, faster, and stronger.

Q: What is it like in the locker room? How is the team’s morale leading up to the start of the season?

• A: We’re great, we’re great. A lot of high energy, guys are flying around, we’re having a good time, and a lot of good team chemistry right now.

Q: What inspired you to play football?

• A: Definitely the brotherhood, and coming from a rough family, this was always my getaway and these guys I could always relate to. They always had my back no matter what and nothing is like that.

Q: Who is your favorite NFL team? Who do you think will win the Super Bowl?

• A: Oh, hands down it’s the New England Patriots. Not only will they win the Super Bowl but they’re going to go undefeated, and watch out for defensive end Justin Rivers, he may be a Rookie of the Year contender. (Editor’s note: This interview was done before the Patriots’ season opening loss)

Q: You’re drafting a fantasy football team; who are your top 3 picks?

• A: Oh I just actually had my fantasy football draft and I drafted Le’Veon Bell number one overall, and then I drafted Matt Ryan and Leonard Fournette.

Q: Which professional football player is your role model?

• A: Now this is untraditional. I’m a die hard Boston College fan and growing up I always looked up to Mark Herzlich. He’s a linebacker for the New York Giants, he overcame leukemia and he’s been such an inspiration to me, just the battle that he went through to get to where he is today.

Q: What is one thing you would like to say to all the incoming freshmen players?

• A: Stick with it. Always stay hungry, and never let a bad day get at you. We all will have our bad days but we just have to let it go, keep pushing forward, and always maintain a positive attitude.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?

• A: Oh, my guilty pleasure. I love sour patch kids.

Q: If you had to play another sport, what would it be?

• A: I would get into mixed martial arts again. I did a short boxing stint back in the day and I’d love to get back to that. I love hitting people, so it’s fun.

Q: Do you have any superstitions before a game?

• A: Yes, I listen to two songs ever since 2009 before every single game, it’s something I have to do. Number one is “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder and number two is “Any Given Sunday” by Jamie Foxx.

Q: What is one interesting thing about yourself that not many people know about you?

• A: I’m a die hard fan of smooth jazz. I love the saxophone, and if anybody plays the saxophone I will arguably fall in love with them, and yeah it’s a little weird.

Q: Do you have a particular meal that you eat after a game?

• A: After the game, my number one go-to meal is definitely a nice steak. I’m a big New York strip guy. If we lose it’s Ramen noodles, if we win it’s a New York strip.

Q: You get $1 million, what is the first thing you do with it?

• A: Take care of my mom. First thing I’m going to do is pay off all her loans, all of her expenses. You know she’s fought for a way to see me get to where I am today so I’m going to take care of her first and then worry about the money after.

Q: You’re a big guy. What is the most you have ever eaten in one sitting?

• A: I’m not proud of this. I was a two-time pizza eating champion in my old hometown of Newport and I still hold the record. I had 14 slices of pizza in 90 seconds, and I’m not proud of that.

Q: How would your best friend describe you?

• A: Funny. I’m a very funny guy, and I’m always talking. I never know when to shut up, and that can get me in trouble sometimes.

Q: What is your most embarrassing moment?

• A: I peed my pants in second grade, and then I tried to cover it one time. I was walking around pretending I poured water on my pants, and then it really started to smell.