UC Davis center Zaire Collier is expecting a lot from himself and his team in 2026. The All Big Sky center in 2025 returns to lead the Aggies and has been recognized as one of the top offensive linemen headed into 2026. Collier and his teammates hope to continue off the success of last season when the Aggies made it to the FCS quarterfinal, losing to eventual champion Illinois State. The center is considered the nerve center on the offensive line, which requires not only physical talent, but brains, awareness, and reaction to ever changing game situations.

The 6’4 320 pound senior from Antelope, California has been a two year starter for UC Davis. Collier, who is a sociology major, has his own podcast entitled On The Line which originally started out as a venue for black student-athletes, and college football, but has now branched out to providing a voice and discussion of issues in the black community as a whole. While football and competition remains a major facet, the podcast has allow Collier to expand and grow as a person through his contact with other members in the community.

Collier goes against the stereotype of college athletes simply practicing, training, playing, and being separated from the general student body. He is truly expanding his horizons, getting an education, creating a community, and obtaining life skills that will help him long after his football playing days are done.