STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Gardner-Webb receiver Dobson Collins signed a free agent (PFA) contract with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers Sunday evening.

The 6-foot-1, 188-pound speedster fielded calls from nine NFL teams following the completion of Sunday's NFL Draft, but chose to sign with the 49ers. San Francisco drafted only one receiver over the weekend – Texas Tech All-American Michael Crabtree – and has plenty of opportunity for earning playing time.

"I'm excited, for sure, and can't wait to get out there for mini camp next week," Collins said. "I had a couple of calls during the seventh round from teams who were thinking of drafting me with their last pick, but this worked out really well for me."

Collins performed very well during offseason testing and as a starter in the Texas vs. Nation All-Star Game, gaining high-level interest from several NFL clubs. He ran a 4.46-second time in the 40-yard dash during a pro day workout, and tested well in all facets at Wake Forest's pro day last month.

The Stone Mountain, Ga., native earned honorable mention FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) All-America honors in 2008 for the Runnin' Bulldogs, catching a career-high 76 passes for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns.

One of Collins' most eye-catching performances came against eventual top-25 member and bowl participant Georgia Tech, when he hauled down seven passes for 97 yards in a narrow 10-7 loss for Gardner-Webb.

The first-team All-Big South Conference selection averaged an impressive 106.2 yards per contest in league games, leading the Big South in receptions, receptions per game and yards per game. He finished ranked No. 7 nationally in receptions per game on the FCS level, and also carried the football five times for 52 yards on the ground.

Collins also finished among the Big South Conference leaders in punt return average, and was named All-Conference as a punt returner and receiver for the second season in a row.

The former Stone Mountain (Ga.) High standout finished his college career with 143 catches for 1,745 yards and 14 touchdowns. A two-sport standout at Gardner-Webb, Collins was the 2006 Atlantic Sun Conference champion in the 60m hurdles and was that league's Freshman of the Year following GWU's conference outdoor track title in 2006.

Collins will be the third Gardner-Webb product to suit up for the 49ers franchise. Former All-America defensive end Gabe Wilkins signed a free agent deal with the club in 1998, after several strong years with the Green Bay Packers. Former All-America linebacker Jim Maxwell spent the 2005 season playing for San Francisco as well.

Collins is the 10th Gardner-Webb player to be drafted or sign with an NFL team since 1973.

Gardner-Webb and the NFL (Since 1973)
Lee Thompson (1973) – Houston Oilers (FA)
Ralph Warthen (1982) – Washington Redskins (8th Round)
Charlie Harbison (1982) – Buffalo Bills (FA)
Tony Suber, DT, (1982) – Buffalo Bills (12th Round)
Gabe Wilkins, DE, (1994) – Green Bay Packers (4th Round)
Terry Guess, WR, (1996) – New Orleans Saints (5th Round)
Eric Harris, WR, (1998) – Atlanta Falcons (FA)
Jim Maxwell, LB, (2004) – New York Giants (PFA)
Brian Johnston, DE, (2008) – Kansas City Chiefs (7th Round)
Dobson Collins, WR, (2009) – San Francisco 49ers (PFA)