Last Updated on October 24, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Zaven Collins’ family has played an important role in his journey from small-town Oklahoma to professional football. The Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker was raised by his mother, Haley Collins, who supported his ambitions despite the financial challenges of raising a family as a single parent.
Born on May 19, 1999, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Zaven Collins grew up in Hominy, a small community where family, education and athletics were central to his childhood.
His upbringing was also shaped by his cousin Peyton, whom his mother helped raise alongside him. Although Collins has spoken openly about his close relationship with his mother, he has shared considerably less information about his father, romantic relationships and potential children.
Here is everything publicly known about Zaven Collins’ wife or girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Zaven Collins’ Wife or Girlfriend: Is He Married?
Zaven Collins has not publicly confirmed a wife or girlfriend through reliable interviews or official NFL biographical information.
As of now, his marital status has not been independently established through trustworthy public sources.
Despite becoming a first-round NFL Draft selection in 2021 and attracting national attention for his football performances, Collins has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic life.
His interviews with the Arizona Cardinals and other sports publications have focused primarily on his upbringing in Oklahoma, his professional development and his relationship with his mother.
Although various celebrity biography websites have speculated about his dating life, there is insufficient evidence to identify any particular person as his girlfriend or wife.
Collins uses the Instagram account @zaven_collins, but the available public information does not establish his current relationship status.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to describe him as married, single or involved in a confirmed relationship without additional reliable evidence.
Zaven Collins’ Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Zaven Collins has children.
His official Arizona Cardinals player biography and University of Tulsa profile do not identify any sons or daughters.
Likewise, the reliable interviews reviewed for this article have not established whether he has become a father.
However, the absence of publicly available information does not necessarily mean Collins has no children. It simply means that his parental status remains unconfirmed.
For now, his family life as a possible father remains private.
Zaven Collins’ Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Zaven Collins was raised primarily by his mother, Haley Collins, in Hominy, Oklahoma.
His mother’s dedication became one of the defining influences of his childhood, particularly as he pursued his goal of earning a college football scholarship.
Zaven Collins’ Mother: Haley Collins
Haley Collins is Zaven Collins’ mother and one of the most influential figures in his life.
She raised Zaven as a single mother while working to provide him with opportunities in education and athletics.
According to an article published by Phillips 66 on May 11, 2021, Haley worked as a senior payroll advisor for the energy company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
She joined the company in 2012 and received considerable support from her colleagues throughout Zaven’s journey to the NFL.
Haley came from an athletic family herself. She played softball while growing up and understood the commitment required to compete in organized sports.
She encouraged Zaven to participate in several activities from an early age, including gymnastics, baseball, basketball, track and football.
Her support became particularly important during his high school years.
Despite Collins’ outstanding performances at Hominy High School, major college football programs initially overlooked him because of concerns about the level of competition he faced.
Haley accompanied her son to numerous football camps, helping him pursue scholarship opportunities.
Eventually, the University of Tulsa offered Collins the opportunity to play Division I football.
The scholarship was a significant achievement for the family because it meant that Zaven could continue his education without placing the financial burden of college tuition on his mother.
In a 2021 interview with The Chronicle-Telegram, Collins explained that succeeding for his mother was among his greatest motivations.
His mother’s support continued after he entered the NFL.
According to the Arizona Cardinals’ official biography, Haley developed a tradition of sending Zaven an encouraging message before every game, ending with the words “Stay your path.”
She also enrolled him in public speaking classes when he was younger, believing strong communication skills would help him succeed later in life.
In an October 2022 interview with the Arizona Cardinals, Collins discussed how those lessons helped him communicate with teammates on the field.
Haley has also spoken publicly about her son’s resilience when facing criticism and setbacks during his professional career.
Her influence extends beyond football, helping shape Collins’ confidence, communication skills and determination.
Zaven Collins’ Father: Who Is His Dad?
The identity of Zaven Collins’ father has not been reliably established in publicly available official biographies or major sports interviews.
Reliable reports, including coverage by the Arizona Cardinals and Phillips 66, confirm that Haley Collins raised Zaven as a single mother.
However, those sources do not provide a verified name, occupation or detailed biography of his father.
Some lesser-known biography websites have discussed his father’s absence during his childhood, but those claims are not sufficiently supported by independent reporting to describe the circumstances definitively.
As of now, Haley Collins remains the parent most prominently associated with Zaven’s upbringing and football career.
Zaven Collins’ Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Zaven Collins has no publicly confirmed biological brothers or sisters in the official and reputable sources reviewed.
However, he grew up alongside his cousin Peyton, whom his mother helped raise as part of the same household.
Their relationship provides an important insight into the extended family environment that shaped Collins’ childhood.
Peyton: Zaven Collins’ Cousin Who Grew Up With Him
Peyton is Zaven Collins’ cousin and one of his closest publicly identified childhood family members.
According to Phillips 66’s May 2021 family profile, Haley Collins helped raise Peyton while her sister traveled for work.
As a result, Peyton and Zaven spent much of their childhood together, sharing the same family environment.
Peyton is approximately 18 months younger than Zaven, according to biographical reporting about the family.
When Zaven was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in April 2021, Haley revealed that Peyton was expected to accompany him to Arizona.
She admitted that having both young men move away would be emotionally difficult because neither had previously lived very far from her.
Although Peyton is Zaven’s cousin rather than a confirmed biological brother, the two were raised together and maintained a close family connection.
Additional details about Peyton’s professional life and current activities have not been widely reported in reliable publications.
Zaven Collins’ Family Support During the 2021 NFL Draft
One of the most important moments for the Collins family came on April 29, 2021, when the Arizona Cardinals selected Zaven with the 16th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Collins watched the draft with his mother and other family members, who celebrated when his name was announced.
The moment represented years of preparation, sacrifice and determination.
For Haley, seeing her son realize his NFL ambitions was especially emotional because she had supported him through the challenges of securing a college scholarship.
Her employer, Phillips 66, subsequently organized a celebration recognizing the family’s achievement.
During the event in Bartlesville, colleagues decorated the venue with memorabilia representing Zaven’s high school, college and professional football teams.
Collins attended the celebration alongside his mother, giving coworkers an opportunity to congratulate the family.
The occasion demonstrated how support from relatives, friends and the wider community contributed to his success.
Zaven Collins’ Childhood and Family Background
Zaven Collins was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but spent his childhood in Hominy, a small town with approximately 3,400 residents.
His upbringing involved outdoor activities, organized sports and strong community relationships.
In a September 2026 interview with Arizona’s Family, Collins discussed how growing up in Hominy meant spending much of his childhood with the same group of friends.
He explained that he frequently moved between football, basketball, baseball and track throughout the year.
Collins attended Hominy High School, where he played quarterback, linebacker and safety.
He also excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA.
During his senior football season, he helped Hominy complete a perfect 14-0 campaign and win the Oklahoma Class A state championship.
Despite those achievements, Collins received limited attention from major college football programs.
His eventual scholarship offer from the University of Tulsa changed the direction of his career.
He became one of the nation’s most accomplished defensive players, winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award following the 2020 college football season.
The Arizona Cardinals subsequently selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Collins has continued playing for Arizona, developing from an inside linebacker into a versatile outside linebacker and pass rusher.
As of now, his professional career remains closely connected to the values of persistence and hard work that shaped his childhood in Oklahoma.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zaven Collins’ Family
Who is Zaven Collins’ wife?
As of now, there is no verified public confirmation that Zaven Collins is married. His marital status remains private.
Does Zaven Collins have a girlfriend?
Zaven Collins has not publicly identified a current girlfriend through reliable interviews or official sources.
Does Zaven Collins have children?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Zaven Collins has a son or daughter.
Who is Zaven Collins’ mother?
His mother is Haley Collins, who raised him in Hominy, Oklahoma. She worked as a senior payroll advisor for Phillips 66 and supported his journey to the NFL.
Who is Zaven Collins’ father?
The name and personal background of Zaven Collins’ father have not been reliably documented in official player biographies or major sports publications.
Does Zaven Collins have siblings?
No biological siblings have been reliably identified in publicly available sources. However, Collins grew up alongside his cousin Peyton, whom his mother helped raise.
Who is Peyton in Zaven Collins’ family?
Peyton is Zaven Collins’ cousin. According to Phillips 66, Haley Collins raised Peyton alongside Zaven while her sister traveled for work.
Where is Zaven Collins from?
Zaven Collins was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and raised in Hominy, where he attended high school and became an accomplished football player.
What NFL team does Zaven Collins play for?
As of now, Zaven Collins plays for the Arizona Cardinals, who selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
