ROH 081-Ramsey-Collins

Derrick Ramsey

Derrick Ramsey, a quarterback, lettered three years for the Wildcats. He was named to the first-team All-Southeastern Conference and third-team All-America by the Associated Press and United Press International in 1977. Ramsey was also named the Outstanding SEC Quarterback following his senior campaign by the Birmingham Touchdown Club. He led the Wildcats to 9-3 and 10-1 records as a junior and senior, including a 21-0 victory over North Carolina in the 1976 Peach Bowl. The star quarterback finished off a successful career with 3,417 yards of total offense, 1,764 rushing yards, 1,653 passing yards, 25 rushing touchdowns, and 14 passing touchdowns. Ramsey played in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game and later went on to play for three different NFL teams as a tight end – Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1978-83), New England (1983-85) and Detroit (1987).

Sonny Collins

Sonny Collins was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection for three (1973-74-75) of his four letter years. He is one of the all-time leading rushers at UK with 3,835 yards, 26 touchdowns, and a 4.9 yards per carry average. Collins has led in rush attempts (777), yards rushing (3,835), rushing touchdowns (26) and 100-yard rushing games (18). His best season came as a sophomore in 1973 with 1,213 yards and 13 touchdowns. Named Player of the Year in the Southeastern Conference by the Nashville Banner and Birmingham Post-Herald in 1974, Collins participated in the Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl before being drafted in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons in 1976.