A method and apparatus for red blood collection and filtration is provided wherein a red blood cell collection assembly provides for leukoreduction filtration concurrent with or soon after the red blood cell collection procedure. The procedure preferably involves filtering the separated red blood cells in a high hematocrit (high-crit) state prior to addition of storage solution thereto. Preferably, a storage solution is passed through the leukoreduction filter after the RBCs have been filtered therethrough. The red blood cell collection filtration and storage assembly is preferably preconnected to a blood component separation disposable assembly, including, for example, a centrifuge vessel and a blood removal/return assembly for removing blood from a donor, passing the blood to the centrifuge vessel for separation of the blood into components for collection and providing for filtration of the separated red blood cell component, as described.