Collins Black: "It Just Makes Sense To Go There"

Duke freshman pitcher Collins Black didn’t expect to have a big role in 2025 for the Blue Devils given the team’s staff heading into the season.

"I got limited opportunities there,” Black said of his time at Duke. “We had a pretty good staff so it was get what you can get and compete.  I thought I did that pretty well.  I think I made the most of my opportunities."

He made the decision to enter the transfer portal after a majority of Duke’s staff headed to Virginia, and NC State was involved almost instantly.

“ I went in a day or two after Pollard left,” he said. “NC State was one of the first teams to text me after I went into the portal; it may have been the same day.

“I talked to them in high school, so for coach Chrysler to reach back out, it was awesome. From the first conversation I knew it was where I wanted to go.  He came out to watch me pitch in Holly Springs for the Salamanders and it really took off from there.”

For Black, he didn’t have to go far from high school to college, and now he’s moving even closer to home.

“I'm originally from Cary, so it's the closest school to home,” he said of NC State.  “I've been a big fan of the baseball program, and I know a ton of the guys on the team... a lot of the players. I also have a lot of friends from high school there, too, so it’s going to be great.  More than anything else, though, coach Avent does a great job with the baseball program.  It just makes sense to go there.”

At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Black is still developing as a pitcher but believes he has a ton of potential.

“I had some draft interest out of high school,” he said.  “I throw strikes, and my slider has good swing and miss. I threw 65% sliders with a 65% strike percentage which is pretty good for D1 baseball. I topped out at 96 with my fastball in high school and hit 95 in the fall. I feel my numbers were down a little in the spring because of the limited opportunities, so I think I can get that back up. 

“I'm working on a changeup as well. I think my stuff is playing well."

What role did NC State project for him next season?

"They said there will be opportunities,” said Black.  “They want me as a long reliever with a potential opportunity to start, but for me it's really I’ll fill any role.”

Black is NC State’s second public transfer portal commitment, joining South Carolina pitcher Ryder Garino.