dieunerst collin

Remember the TerRio look-alike who went viral for giving the side-eye at Popeyes??? That kid from the famous meme is now a college football player -- and we're all officially old.

TMZ Sports has confirmed ... Lake Erie College freshman offensive lineman Dieunerst Collin is, in fact, the little kid in the yellow shirt who became internet famous on now-defunct social media platform Vine back in the day.

As it turns out, the 6'1", 330-pounder went on to be a successful athlete since becoming a meme ... and won a state championship with East Orange Campus high school in New Jersey in 2021.

But Collin isn't shying away from his past -- in fact, he wants the fried chicken chain to hook him up with a Name, Image and Likeness deal!!

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbnZZ5qopV9nfXN%2FjmloaGhpZMOqvsClZKmnoJrGpr%2BMppymnV2gtqV5wqijpZ2Xmnqnu86tmZqknGK9ra3Ynqlo