Welcome to The Crootletter (sign up to get this in your inbox every morning!). I'm Bud Elliott, SB Nation's National Recruiting Analyst, and in this space I'll be sharing news, rumors and musings on the world of college football recruiting.
With the NFL Draft approaching, I am taking a look back at some memorable recruits who are now likely to be high picks. In this series, I'll touch on memories of the recruits, scouting, projection and fun anecdotes. I previously looked at Jalen Ramsey and Derrick Henry, and Chris Jones.
The 2017 NFL Draft is set to be one for the ages at the running back position, with stars like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb, Royce Freeman, Jalen Hurd and others eligible to declare.
By comparison, the 2016 crop is not as strong, but it's still talented. And one of its best backs, Alex Collins, has a very interesting recruiting story.
Out of Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) South Plantation, Collins was one of the best recruits in the nation in the class of 2012. He held offers from all three Florida schools as well as 30-plus other schools. Ultimately, Collins wanted to go to a place where he could get away from South Florida, and chose Arkansas the Monday before National Signing Day.
But not everyone was happy with the decision. Most notably his mother. That was problematic come Wednesday, as a parent or guardian is required to sign off on the National Letter of Intent.
ESPN reported Collins' mother ran off with the papers, delaying his signing ceremony.
Yes, ran off.
The papers are not there. I've been told by two different sources that Alex Collins' mom confiscated the papers and took off and ran with them. They are looking for her currently. From what I understand, Alex is not at the school right now, he is looking for his mom. She was quite torn up about him leaving.
Collins' mother wanted him to stay close to home and go to Miami. Ultimately, CBS reported Collins tracked down his dad and had him sign the papers. His mother hired an attorney to try to challenge the legitimacy of his dad signing off on Arkansas, but Collins ran for almost 4,000 yards in three years for the Razorbacks, so that obviously did not work out for her.
Collins leaves Fayetteville with his name written throughout the record books. He's one of only three players - along with Herschel Walker and Darren McFadden - to rush for over 1,000 yards in his three seasons. He set Arkansas' single season record for rushing touchdowns with 20. He tied McFadden's record with 10 100-yard games this season. Collins is second behind McFadden in career 100-yard games, career rushing attempts, and career yards. His 1,577 rushing yards this year are third in Arkansas history behind McFadden's Heisman runner-up seasons. His career touchdowns rank 4th in Arkansas history. Without a doubt, Collins is an all-time great Razorback.
SB Nation blog Arkansas Fight described what it loved about Collins as a Razorback, and that is worth a read.
What I always liked about Collins, aside from him being an incredibly nice person during our interactions, was his balance. He had good but not great speed, good but not great moves and good but not great power. His game is just well-rounded. I've seen him projected anywhere from rounds two to five, and would love for my NFL team to pick him up around the latter parts of that estimate.
Quickly
Florida's quarterback situation has been a mess for a while. Andy Hutchins explains why with this timeline.
Is Maryland really going to sign five-star defensive end Josh Kaindoh? The Terps have been on a roll lately and Kaindoh would be one of the highest-rated recruits ever to commit to Maryland.
I applaud the NCAA's vote to allow both parents to accompany recruits on the school's dime during official visits.
What parts of Steve Spurrier's final years at South Carolina are still holding back the Gamecocks in recruiting?
Previously
If you're a recent signup or missed a day, that's okay. I link my previous Crootletters in this section.
Does Carson Wentz's uncommon path to the top of the NFL Draft invalidate private QB coaching and camps?
Jalen Ramsey and Derrick Henry are two former five-star recruits getting ready for the NFL draft who didn't outgrow their positions.
Will the NCAA's new social media policy be a mess for coaches? Recruits like it.
This timeline shows how tough and complicated quarterback recruiting really is.
Texas recruits and recruiting experts say that they are in a holding pattern, waiting to see what is going to happen with Charlie Strong and Kevin Sumlin.