Arkansas RB Alex Collins declares for NFL draft
Arkansas running back Alex Collins won't be returning to the Razorbacks in 2016.
Collins announced Sunday that he's heading to the NFL and will declare for the draft. He revealed the news in a letter that was posted to Arkansas' site.
Coach Bielema has been a guiding mentor in my life for several years and I want to personally thank him for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at Arkansas.
I also want to thank the coaching staff, academic staff, and my teammates for helping make my time at the University of Arkansas successful.
Collins was a workhorse for Arkansas in 2015, rushing for 1,577 yards on 271 carries. He had 20 touchdowns and finished the season with consecutive three-touchdown games against Missouri and Kansas State. He also scored five touchdowns in the Razorbacks' rout of Tennessee-Martin.
He was expected to split time with Jonathan Williams throughout the season for the best 1-2 rushing attack in the SEC. Those plans went off the rails in August when Williams suffered a broken left foot in an August scrimmage. He missed the season, though he was able to dress out at the end of the season and take the field in a celebratory fashion.
Williams, who rushed for 1,190 yards in 2014, has said he's likely heading to the NFL. He was just ahead of Collins in the rushing column in 2014 as Collins finished with 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Collins also ran for over 1,000 yards as a freshman. He had 1,026 yards and four scores in 2013. Collins was a four-star recruit and the No. 13 running back in the class of 2013 according to Rivals.
For more Arkansas news, visit HawgSports.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
