This Saturday night inside the Mercedes Benz Super Dome will be a homecoming of sorts as Franklin County’s Jamie Collins and his Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots battle the New Orleans Saints at 7 p.m.

Collins, a 6-4, 260-pound linebacker and star of the Patriots defense, is coming off a spectacular sophomore season in the NFL that saw him rack up 116 tackles, four sacks, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a blocked field goal.

The athletic Quentin native is also a Southern Miss alum, where he was named All-Conference USA during his time as USM from 2009-2012.

During Collins’ freshmen season at USM, he played in the New Orleans Bowl inside the Super Dome and blocked a field goal that made headlines throughout the nation with his 42-inch vertical and incredible wingspan.

Collins is expected to play much of the first two quarters in Saturday’s pre-season contest against New Orleans.

The Saints and Patriots have held joint practices the last two days in West Virginia.

In 2006, Collins led Franklin High to its first and only State Championship as a quarterback/safety. He was a starting linebacker on USM’s 2011 Conference USA championship team, and last year he collected a Super Bowl ring.