Mechanicsburg DE/DT Collin Stare commits to Central Michigan
Tagged under: District 3, News, Player Previews, Recruiting
Billy Splain | August 14, 2025
In 2024 Collin Stare was named All-Mid Penn, Mid Penn defensive player of the year, 5A All-State PFN Coaches selection and Writers All-State. Yesterday he added another accomplishment to his list.
Mechanicsburg Head Coach Dave Heckard says Collin Stare “Loves the game of football and will be an asset to any college program. We are all extremely excited for Collin and his family”. Collin made the announcement that he was committing to Central Michigan last night.
COMMITTED!!🔥🔥⬆️@DrinkallCoach @CoachTesfa @CoachSeanCronin @CoachDukes_ @abiiicox @CoachSakk @CoachChapin @jake_riedel pic.twitter.com/EGxxWbWnQv
— Collin Stare (@collinstare2026) August 13, 2025
We caught up with him to ask him about his decision and a little more:
PFN: Why did you choose to commit to befothe Chippewas’ your Sr season?
It felt like home as soon as I got there, the coaches were amazing, the culture with all of the players is something I wanna play for. I chose to commit before my senior because I felt like I had to lock it in. Spots fill up, injuries, etc.
PFN: Who was your biggest influence there, who recruited you?
Coach Smith and Coach Cronin have been recruiting me for months now. They were always in contact with me and have been honest since day 1 and I’m grateful for that. What Coach Drink-all is building at CMU is some thing special that I wanna play for.
PFN: What are they getting in player like you?
A hard worker who is filling to put his body on the line for his teammates, coaches, and anyone on the staff.
PFN: What was the recruiting process like for you?
It was very slow, I didn’t get my first offer until March. My first offer was University of Maine and that’s what started my recruitment. I thank them for being the first college program to believe in me.
PFN: What position were you recruited for?
I was recruited for Defensive Tackle but more as 3 Tech/D end. It depends on my weight and what fits the team best.
PFN: Do you know what you’d like to study?
I would like to study business marketing or sports management but I’m undecided on which one yet.
PFN: What role did your parents play in your decision?
My parents played a pretty big role, they were nervous about how far it was and the travel isn’t the easiest but they wanted me to go where I wanted to go and where I fit in best. They supported my decision.
PFN: What do you think is the most exciting thing about the Chippewas program?
The culture Coach Drink-all is bringing. It’s something special.
PFN: What are you most looking forward to while playing for them?
The Coaches, the coaches have been real and honest since day 1 and it has been amazing to go through this process with them. They have pushed me to commit they told me to take my time and wait for when it was right.
PFN: Tell everyone out there in the football world something they’d never know about you until you told them:
I started playing football when I was 5 years old. Most people really aren’t aloud to play until like 5 or 6 but the league I was in allowed me to play a year early.
PFN: Who is the person who most influenced you in your football career?
My dad and mom, they have been there everyday all the time for me. They have supported me through the toughest times and the best times. And I thank them for that.
Why do you play football?
I play football for a couple different, one because I like to hit people and have fun. And 2 because I enjoy have tough the game is on your body and your mental state so it takes you to a different place.
What would you do to improve the recruiting process?
Send your film as much as possible. The one thing I didn’t do was send my film right away. I waited a couple of months and that affected my process a little bit.
PFN: What is it you’d like all your high school teammates and fans to know about your decision that you might have a hard time saying in person?
Hopefully they fully support it and understand why I chose it to chase my dreams and give myself the best opportunity’s possible.
What are your goals for this coming season?
Hopefully repeat what we did last year as a team and go 10 and 0 and try and lead my team to a district 3 5a championship.
Tell everyone why you think football is good for a community
It brings people together, people come together every Friday night for 2-3 hours and enjoy the towns football team.
what is your favorite pregame ritual?
Smelling slats with my D Line coach.
Music of choice:
Any song by Drake!
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Anywhere in the outer banks!
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