Arkansas Razorbacks Recruiting: Alex Collins Commits to The Hogs
By Kyle Kensing
In a big weekend for Bret Bielema and Arkansas Razorbacks recruiting, the new head coach scored his biggest coup yet with four star running back Alex Collins. Collins announced his commitment to the Razorbacks on FOX Sports South’s “The New College Football Show” on Monday night.
Collins was originally a verbal commit to nearby Miami, but was receptive to recruiting feelers from Bielema and his staff while the coach was at Wisconsin. Collins kept the Badgers in his list of final options after Bielema left, but ultimately the Hogs won out.
“Every school has something to offer…Everywhere you go, you have that great opportunity,” Collins told Fox Sports South. “I like the fact [Arkansas] runs the ball. I personally know the coaches. I’ve been recruited by them for two years now, so I think I can trust them. I feel like they can get me ready for the next level academically and athletically.”
Collins was among the top rated rankings both in talent-rich Florida, in a recruiting class that includes Alabama commit Derrick Henry, and in the nation. Rivals.com graded him at No. 117 among all prospects, and No. 18 in Florida. He considered staying in the Sunshine State, entertaining offers from Florida and Florida State as well as The U.
The 5-foot-11, 207-pound back could work into an immediate contributing role; Arkansas loses its leading rushers of the last few seasons, Dennis Johnson and Knile Davis.
Collins alluded to Bielema’s past teams’ tendency to rush. Montee Ball became a Heisman Trophy finalist at Wisconsin, following in a long line of Badger backs to break 1000 yards. Jim Chaney is Bielema’s offensive coordinator, bringing a more aerial look than any of the OCs on the head coach’s Wisconsin staff. The role of the running backs in his system will be an interesting dynamic for Collins’ place in the Razorback offense.