Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Maliek Collins is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 8, 1995, in Kansas City, Kansas, Collins has established himself as an experienced defensive lineman after playing college football at the University of Nebraska.
Beyond his professional achievements, Maliek Collins is a devoted father whose family has significantly influenced his life and football career. His parents are Janice Davis and the late C.W. Collins, and he grew up alongside two older sisters. Collins has two publicly confirmed sons, Maliek Collins Jr. and Khalon Collins. In May 2026, he also announced his engagement to Amanda Nicole, marking another important chapter in his personal life.
Maliek Collins’s Girlfriend and Relationship Status
Maliek Collins is engaged to Amanda Nicole, who has been publicly identified as his longtime romantic partner.
In May 2026, Collins announced their engagement through social media. The announcement attracted attention from Cleveland Browns supporters, teammates and members of the NFL community.
According to a report published by Cleveland Browns Community on May 21, 2026, Collins shared photographs and details of his proposal, prompting congratulations from fans and the Browns organization.
The Cleveland Browns also publicly congratulated Collins and his fiancée on their engagement.
Another report published by the Akron Beacon Journal in August 2026 confirmed that Collins had become engaged in mid-May while recovering from a significant leg injury sustained during the previous NFL season.
Although Amanda has been publicly associated with the defensive tackle, detailed information about her age, family background and professional career remains limited.
As of now, no verified public announcement has established that Collins and Amanda have married. Therefore, Amanda Nicole is best described as his fiancée rather than his wife.
Who Is Amanda Nicole?
Amanda Nicole is the woman publicly identified as Maliek Collins’s fiancée following their engagement in May 2026.
Earlier online reporting had described Amanda as Collins’s longtime girlfriend. However, the couple’s engagement brought their relationship greater public attention.
Despite her connection to an established NFL player, Amanda has maintained a relatively private personal profile.
Reliable information about her educational background, occupation and early life has not been widely documented in established sports publications.
The couple’s engagement represents one of the most publicly documented developments in Collins’s romantic life.
Maliek Collins’s Children
Maliek Collins is a father of at least two children. His two publicly confirmed sons are Maliek Collins Jr. and Khalon Collins.
In December 2022, the Houston Chronicle published an extensive interview documenting Collins’s relationship with his sons and how fatherhood influenced his personal development.
The defensive tackle explained that becoming a father at a young age changed his priorities and strengthened his determination to succeed in professional football.
Maliek Collins Jr.: Maliek Collins’s Older Son
Maliek Collins Jr. is the oldest publicly identified son of NFL defensive tackle Maliek Collins.
He was born in 2013, when his father was beginning his college football career at the University of Nebraska.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Collins became a father on the second day of Nebraska’s fall training camp during his freshman year.
The experience forced him to accept significant responsibilities while adjusting to college life and competitive football.
His mother, Janice Davis, helped care for the young child while Collins attended classes and participated in football activities.
During summer breaks, Maliek Jr. and other family members spent time with Collins in Nebraska.
In a December 2022 interview, the football player explained that having a child so early in his life motivated him to approach his career seriously.
He understood that his son depended on him financially and emotionally, making professional football an opportunity to build a stable future.
At the time of the interview, Maliek Jr. was nine years old and attended elementary school alongside his younger brother.
Collins described his older son as someone who enjoyed football and video games.
The defensive tackle also suggested that Maliek Jr. possessed athletic ability, although he emphasized spending quality time with his children rather than placing professional expectations on them.
Khalon Collins: Maliek Collins’s Younger Son
Khalon Collins is Maliek Collins’s younger publicly confirmed son. He was born on September 3, 2016, under extremely difficult medical circumstances.
According to a December 2022 report by the Houston Chronicle, Khalon was born approximately 16 weeks prematurely, after only 24 weeks of pregnancy.
At birth, he weighed just one pound and eight ounces.
Collins was attending a Dallas Cowboys team meeting when the child’s mother contacted him because she was experiencing complications.
He subsequently traveled to the hospital, where doctors informed the family that an early delivery was necessary.
Because of his premature birth, Khalon required intensive medical attention and spent approximately three months in a neonatal intensive care unit.
During that period, he required respiratory support and continuous monitoring while doctors worked to stabilize his condition.
Collins later described the experience as one of the most difficult periods of his life.
Despite the serious complications, Khalon survived and made significant progress during his childhood.
By December 2022, he was attending kindergarten and participating in everyday activities alongside his older brother.
Collins described his younger son’s determination as a major source of inspiration.
When facing injuries or difficulties in professional football, the defensive tackle often reflected on the challenges Khalon overcame shortly after birth.
He explained that his son’s resilience helped him maintain perspective and appreciate the importance of family.
Does Maliek Collins Have a Daughter?
A secondary online biography published in January 2024 reported that Collins and Amanda had welcomed a daughter named Storie Amil Collins on October 2, 2023.
However, this information has not been independently confirmed through official NFL publications, established news reporting or a verified public statement from Collins.
Consequently, the reported daughter’s identity and birth details remain unverified. Maliek Jr. and Khalon are the two children whose relationship to Collins is clearly established through firsthand interviews and reliable reporting.
Maliek Collins’s Parents
Maliek Collins was born to Janice Davis and C.W. Collins in Kansas City, Kansas.
His childhood was marked by the loss of his father, who died when Maliek was only six years old.
Following that tragedy, his mother took on significant responsibility for raising the family, while an uncle became another important influence in his life.
Maliek Collins’s Father: C.W. Collins
Maliek Collins’s father was C.W. Collins, an American mechanic who worked hard to provide for his family.
Unfortunately, C.W. died when Maliek was six years old. His death left the future NFL player without a father during much of his childhood.
According to an interview published by the Houston Chronicle in December 2022, Collins has relatively few personal memories of his father.
However, relatives frequently told him that he shared many similarities with C.W., particularly their personalities and interests.
One of those shared interests is a passion for automobiles.
C.W. worked as a mechanic, and Maliek developed a strong appreciation for cars as he grew older.
Collins also learned about his father’s dedication through stories told by other family members.
He explained that C.W. consistently prioritized providing for his loved ones, sometimes working extremely long hours.
Although Collins recognizes the sacrifices his father made, he has also reflected on the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being.
His father’s death influenced his approach to parenthood.
As the father of two boys, Collins has expressed his determination to preserve the Collins family name and pass important values to the next generation.
He considers responsibility, hard work and commitment to family central parts of his father’s legacy.
Maliek Collins’s Mother: Janice Davis
Maliek Collins’s mother is Janice Davis, who raised him and his two older sisters in Kansas City.
Janice worked as an apartment manager and became the family’s primary parental figure following the death of C.W. Collins.
Her identity is confirmed in Maliek’s official University of Nebraska athletics biography, which lists him as the son of Janice Davis and the late C.W. Collins.
Janice played an especially important role during Collins’s childhood and adolescence.
After he experienced behavioral difficulties at school, family members encouraged him to participate in organized sports as a constructive outlet for his energy.
Collins eventually developed into a successful football player and wrestler at Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
His mother continued supporting him when he earned a scholarship to the University of Nebraska.
Her influence became even more important when Collins welcomed his first son during his freshman year of college.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Janice helped care for Maliek Jr. while his father balanced academic responsibilities and football training.
That assistance allowed Collins to remain focused on his education and sporting development without neglecting his responsibilities as a young parent.
In a December 2022 interview, Collins confirmed that his mother was still living in Kansas City.
Her support during his childhood and early adulthood remains an important part of his personal story.
Maliek Collins’s Siblings
Maliek Collins has two older sisters. He is the youngest of three children born into his family.
This information is confirmed in the San Francisco 49ers’ official player biography and a December 2022 profile published by the Houston Chronicle.
Although Collins has discussed his siblings in interviews, their individual names and professional backgrounds have not been widely disclosed in reliable public sources.
Maliek Collins’s Eldest Sister
Maliek Collins’s eldest sister is approximately 16 years older than him.
According to the Houston Chronicle, she was already approaching adulthood during much of Collins’s early childhood.
The significant age difference meant that Collins grew up with an older sibling who belonged to a different stage of life.
However, her name, occupation and personal relationships have not been reliably established in public reporting.
As of now, there is insufficient verified information to provide additional biographical details about her.
Maliek Collins’s Other Older Sister
Maliek Collins’s second older sister is approximately eight years older than him.
She was part of the family household during his childhood in Kansas City and experienced the loss of their father when Maliek was young.
Although her relationship to Collins is publicly confirmed, her identity and private life have not been widely documented in established news publications.
The defensive tackle has generally kept his sisters outside the public spotlight while discussing his family background in broader terms.
Maliek Collins’s Uncle and Extended Family
Following the death of his father, Maliek Collins developed an important relationship with an uncle who helped guide his childhood development.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Collins sometimes struggled with anger and disciplinary problems during his early school years.
His uncle recognized that organized sports could provide a productive way for him to channel his energy.
He encouraged Maliek to participate in football and remain physically active.
The decision became an important turning point.
Collins eventually developed a passion for the sport and began pursuing opportunities to compete at increasingly higher levels.
Although his uncle’s full name has not been reliably established in the reviewed sources, his influence helped shape the athlete Collins would later become.
How Maliek Collins’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Maliek Collins’s journey to professional football began at Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
He established himself as an outstanding defensive lineman while also achieving considerable success in wrestling.
During his senior wrestling season, Collins recorded a perfect 48-0 record and won the Missouri Class 2A state championship.
His performances in football attracted interest from several college programs, and he eventually accepted a scholarship from the University of Nebraska.
At Nebraska, Collins developed into one of the team’s leading defensive players, earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2014 and 2015.
He also balanced college football with the responsibilities of raising his first son, who was born during his freshman year.
After three seasons with the Cornhuskers, Collins entered the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the third round with the 67th overall pick.
He played four seasons in Dallas before continuing his career with the Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers.
In March 2025, Collins signed with the Cleveland Browns, bringing experience and leadership to the team’s defensive line.
During the 2025 NFL season, he recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks before suffering a quadriceps injury that ended his campaign early.
He returned in 2026 and continued playing an important role in Cleveland’s defensive front.
On October 26, 2026, the Browns announced that Collins had signed a two-year contract extension.
Following the announcement, Collins described Cleveland as a positive environment for himself and his family and expressed his desire to continue contributing to the organization.
Throughout his career, Collins has emphasized that fatherhood provides him with motivation beyond his individual performance on the field.
His experiences growing up without his father, becoming a parent during college and witnessing his younger son’s difficult start to life have all influenced his outlook on responsibility and success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maliek Collins’s Family
Who is Maliek Collins’s girlfriend?
Maliek Collins is engaged to Amanda Nicole, who has been publicly identified as his longtime girlfriend. Their engagement was announced in May 2026.
Is Maliek Collins married?
As of now, no verified public announcement confirms that Maliek Collins has married. He became engaged to Amanda Nicole in May 2026.
Does Maliek Collins have children?
Yes. Maliek Collins has at least two publicly confirmed children, both sons named Maliek Collins Jr. and Khalon Collins.
Who is Maliek Collins Jr.?
Maliek Collins Jr. is the NFL player’s older son. He was born in 2013 while his father was beginning his college football career at Nebraska.
Who is Khalon Collins?
Khalon Collins is Maliek Collins’s younger son, born prematurely on September 3, 2016. He survived serious medical complications during infancy and became an important source of inspiration for his father.
Does Maliek Collins have a daughter?
A secondary publication has reported that Collins has a daughter named Storie Amil Collins, but this information has not been independently verified through reliable primary sources.
Who is Maliek Collins’s father?
His father was C.W. Collins, a mechanic who died when Maliek was six years old.
Who is Maliek Collins’s mother?
His mother is Janice Davis, who worked as an apartment manager in Kansas City and helped raise his first son while Collins attended college.
How many siblings does Maliek Collins have?
Maliek Collins has two older sisters. One is approximately 16 years older than him, while the other is approximately eight years older.
Where is Maliek Collins’s family from?
Maliek Collins was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and grew up in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He attended Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
