It has been a rollercoaster and exciting few months for former Lock Haven University running back Chris Collier. Collier, LHU’s former All-American running back, signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on Wednesday.

After Collier’s preseason debut with the Baltimore Ravens, the team made roster cuts. The Wagner transfer was officially waived and then named to the Ravens practice squad for the 2024 NFL season.

Collier, who signed with the Ravens following the National Football League (NFL) Draft in April, spent the preseason with Baltimore, where he totaled 104 total yards from 28 carries and two catches out of the backfield. Collier rushed for 42 yards on a team-leading 13 carries in the preseason finale. Collier also made an impact with the special team’s unit as a returner on kickoff.

Following his dominant Pro Day at Temple University ahead of the NFL Draft, Collier draft stock rose. He got a phone call from the Baltimore Ravens following the draft, then earning undrafted rookie status which led him to Ravens Rookie Mini Camp. The New York native took the deal, spent Mini Camp and the duration of preseason with the Ravens to earn his practice team spot.

The Ravens didn’t wait long to sign Collier to the practice unit, inking the deal before 12 p.m. eastern time, as he joined a small group of initial signees.

Baltimore believed in Collier from the start, as they reportedly had him on their draft board after seeing his amazing pro day. And it was just mere minutes after the NFL Draft came to an end when they gave Collier a call to sign him to a three-year, $2.8 million contract as an undrafted free agent.

When discussing Collier after Rookie Camp began, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh gave high praise for the former Bald Eagle.

“He came out here and looked like he belonged,” Harbaugh said. “He’s quick, he’s fast, strong and just looks the part.”

After signing with the Ravens, and making an impact in camp, Collier got the chance to show his skills to a national audience by making an appearance in all three of Baltimore’s pre-season games. While he did not put up extraordinary numbers, Collier demonstrated his ability as a runner and as a pass catcher, making his presence felt each play he was in.

Collier finished with 28 carries for 104 total yards across all three games, while also seeing some action as a kick returner.

After the NFL preseason concludes the following 24-hour window is hectic, as all 32 teams have to cut their rosters down from 90 to 53. And just days after his game against the Packers, it was reported that the Ravens were planning to waive Collier with the intention to sign him to their practice squad.

An NFL teams’ practice squad is an interesting limbo between the main 53-man roster and free agency, as the 16 players on the practice squad still work and practice with the team, but can also be signed by any other team at any time.

Being on the practice squad also doesn’t mean those players can appear in NFL regular season games, as a team can “elevate” a player to make them eligible to play, without listing them on the active roster. And the door is open for Collier to appear in week one, as Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reported. Collier, and fellow practice squad member John Kelly, could be options for the No. 3 running back role if fifth round rookie Rasheen Ali is not healthy for Week 1.

Following a standout campaign as a graduate student for the Bald Eagles, Collier’s postseason accolades include: D2football.com Elite 100, First Team AFCA DII All-American, Don Hansen All-American HM, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-PSAC East selection and Second Team D2CCA All-Region honoree and First Team AFCA All-American.

Collier, who led the PSAC is total rushing yards (1,393), rushing yards-per-game (126.6) and ranked second in rushing touchdowns (12), helped lead the Bald Eagles to their first five-win season since 1982.

If Collier does suit up in the purple and gold in the season opener, he would be the first Bald Eagle to suit up for an NFL regular season game since 1987.