MOBILE, Ala. — Jamie Collins is getting an early taste of Alabama this week.

The senior quarterback for Franklin County, who has verbally committed to play for Auburn University next season, is participating in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic this weekend.

The game will kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

“Practice has been going good,” said Collins, who will play safety and quarterback in the classic. “I’ve been mainly working at safety in practice so far.”

Collins led the Bulldogs to the MHSAA Class 3A South State Championship game last month, where Franklin County lost to eventual state runner-up Tylertown.

Now he will be playing with 35 of the best athletes in the state against 36 of the best football players in Alabama.

“It’s a great honor for him,” said Franklin County coach Trent Hammond. “It shows you’re one of the top 36 players in the state.

“The rest of the country, not just people on your team, think you’re one of the best in the state.”

The 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound Collins recorded 1,096 yards rushing and nearly 1,000 yards passing in the 2007 season, when the Bulldogs made it to the 3A State Championship game, before verbally committing to Auburn in July as an all-around athlete.

He was the Tigers’ 20th commitment for the 2009 season.

However, since the resignation of Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, Collins has re-opened his recruitment.

Collins has heard from Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Alcorn State, Florida State and Texas Tech.

And while Collins is getting acquainted with the Yellowhammer State, he is much busier focusing on preparing for Saturday’s game.

“Right now I’m focusing on this game coming up and trying to do the best I can do,” Collins said. “We’ve got to win it for all of Mississippi.”

The schedule for both the Mississippi and Alabama teams started Monday, with two-a-days Tuesday through Thursday and an additional practice Friday.

The players are also treated to media night and other night activities, including a banquet Friday.

James Covington contributed to this story.