Cowboy staff has no choice: Collins must go
Sophomore linebacker's guilty plea means he no longer has the right to play for Oklahoma State

The sophomore linebacker pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault stemming from a May 2004 incident during an after-prom party.

Collins was 17 years old at the time. The girl was 12.

On Wednesday, a jury chose a five-year sentence and recommended that it be served as probation. A Bowie County (Texas) District Court judge will sentence Collins on Dec. 10 and could order as much as 10 years probation.

OSU officials have yet to determine Collins' status with the football team.

What's to think about?

Collins' career with the Cowboys officially should have ended the instant he pleaded guilty.

The debate of whether he should or shouldn't be on the team ceased at the point.

Collins needs to go immediately.

Too harsh?

We're not talking about someone picking a fight in the school cafeteria or loitering outside a Whataburger.

We're talking aggravated sexual assault of a 12-year-old, a first-degree felony in Texas.

When sentenced, Collins will become a convicted felon and also could become a registered sex offender.

Institutions of higher learning don't want people of such character walking their campus — no matter how thin their football team is at linebacker.

This edict extends across the board, whether your school colors are orange and black or crimson and cream.

The judge might simplify things himself by not allowing Collins to leave Texas.

OSU coach Mike Gundy knew the risk of offering Collins a scholarship.

"I don't think there was any doubt I was sticking my neck out,” Gundy said in the summer of 2006.

Through it all, Gundy stuck up for Collins.

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