Collins mulls, decides on NFL

Arkansas running back Alex Collins ran 185 yards and three touchdowns during the Razorbacks' 45-23 Liberty Bowl victory over Kansas State Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, in Memphis.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Record-breaking Arkansas tailback Alex Collins announced on Sunday he was declaring for the NFL Draft as expected by most analysts.

Collins made the announcement with a post on his Twitter account, linking to a letter titled "WPS Always" posted on the University of Arkansas' athletics Web site. His decision came four days after a lunch meeting in south Florida with Coach Bret Bielema, running backs coach Jemal Singleton and Chris Johnson of the department's academic staff.

Collins’

ranking in

record book

3 Years with 1,000 or more rushing yards

10 100-yard rushing games in a season, tied with Darren McFadden for most by a UA running back

12 All-time SEC rank in rushing yards

15-11 Overall UA record during past 2 seasons

17 100-yard career rushing games, 2nd on all-time UA list behind McFadden

20 Rushing TDs this season, 1st on all-time UA list

36 Career rushing TDs, 4th on all-time UA list

271 Carries this season, 4th-highest UA single-season total

665 Career carries, 2nd-highest on UA list behind McFadden’s 785

1,577 Yards rushing this season, third-highest UA total

3,703 Career rushing yards, 2nd-highest all-time UA total

4,590 McFadden’s all-time UA rushing record

5,259 Herschel Walker’s all-time SEC rushing record

"For the past week, I have spent my days and nights with much prayer trying to decide my future at the University of Arkansas," Collins letter began.

Collins discussed the pros of remaining at Arkansas, such as earning his degree in criminal justice and chasing school and conference records, but he also wrote about a "future in the NFL as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema responded to Collins' announcement post on Twitter by writing, "Loved the ride my friend #WoooPig #UnCommon."

Collins capped his Arkansas career with his best season, a school-record 20 rushing touchdowns and 1,577 rushing yards, the third-highest in a season at Arkansas and the 14th best in SEC history.

Collins, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., joined Georgia's Herschel Walker and Arkansas' Darren McFadden as the only SEC players with three 1,000-yard seasons to start their careers.

Collins' career rushing total of 3,703 yards is second to McFadden's (4,590) at Arkansas and 12th in the SEC. Collins was 1,556 yards shy of Walker's SEC rushing record of 5,259, which Walker accomplished in three seasons.

Collins was complimentary of Bielema and his three-season stay at Arkansas, writing, "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. Lastly, there is no way to truly express how thankful I am for the love and support Arkansas fans have given me during the past three years. Without a doubt there are no better college fans than Hogs fans. I hope I make you proud at the next level."

Collins was ranked by NFLDraftScout.com on Thursday as the No. 3 running back available in the draft behind Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliot and Alabama's Derrick Henry.

Arkansas senior Jonathan Williams, who missed the season with a foot injury after rushing for 1,190 yards as a senior in 2014, was No. 9 in the same rankings.

Bielema made no secret he wanted Collins to return, touting him as a Heisman candidate at the postgame press conference following Arkansas' 45-23 victory over Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2. Collins ran for a season-high 185 yards and three touchdowns against the Wildcats in Memphis.

Collins' decision came six days after his Arkansas offensive mates tight end Hunter Henry and offensive lineman Denver Kirkland declared early for the NFL Draft. Underclassmen have until Jan. 18 to declare for the draft, which begins on April 28. The NFL will release the official list of underclassmen in the draft on Jan. 22.

Sports on 01/11/2016