Collins a runaway star

MEMPHIS -- Alex Collins has not indicated whether Saturday's Liberty Bowl game against Kansas State will be his last as an Arkansas Razorback.

Collins will have left a major impression on the football program and its record books whether he returns for a senior season or enters the NFL Draft.

The SEC's active leading rusher enters the Liberty Bowl with 3,518 career rushing yards, 52 yards shy of tying Ben Cowins for second place at Arkansas behind Darren McFadden's 4,590 yards. He has nine 100-yard rushing games this season, one short of McFadden's single-season record.

Collins has joined McFadden and former Georgia great Herschel Walker as the only running backs in the SEC to ever start their careers with three 1,000-yard seasons.

"I've had a pretty good career, and just thinking on it makes me happy," Collins said.

"I think he had a great year," first-year Arkansas running backs coach Jemal Singleton said. "The numbers speak for themselves."

Collins compiled 1,392 rushing yards this season, the third most in a single season for the Razorbacks behind McFadden's school-record 1,830 in 2007 and his 1,647 in 2006.

He had to shoulder more of the burden because of the season-long loss of Jonathan Williams to a foot injury and surgery. The duo shared reps and enjoyed 1,100-yard seasons last year.

"Whatever they needed me to do, I've done pretty well," said Collins, who saw his rushes increase from 204 in 2014 to 248 this season. "I took the load pretty good, and if that's what it takes, I enjoy it."

Said offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola, "I think AC immediately stepped up and matured way faster than I think he thought he'd have to. He's been huge for us this season."

Collins has forged an identity all his own, from his epic dreadlocks to his engaging personality to his uncanny cutting ability.

He attracts people off the field as easily as he recognizes open space and anticipates moves on the field.

During the Razorbacks' visit to the Bass Pro Shop at the Pyramid on Wednesday, one shopper after another asked for a picture or an autograph. Collins obliged with a smile. He even took a moment to video bomb a live standup for KATV, Channel 7's David Bazzel and Steve Sullivan.

Collins, a five-sport star in high school, has spent a portion of his Arkansas career working to fit into Coach Bret Bielema's system, but it hasn't always been smooth. He served an out-of-season suspension for arriving late for a weight lift, and he had an in-game suspension against Mississippi State as a freshman.

"A lot of things had come naturally and easily to him," Bielema said. "He was always the best player on the football team. He goes and plays lacrosse, and he was the best player. A very engaging young man who has got some looks and charm. I think from that department, girls, and living life as a young kid came naturally to him."

After having a two-fumble game in a 21-14 loss at Missouri last season, Bielema said he had a tough talk with Collins.

"I pointed out some really hard things to him during the offseason that was going to prevent him from being an elite running back," Bielema said. "But the bottom line is you can't argue with the numbers."

Singleton said Collins' big-play ability stood out this season.

"You take the LSU game. I mean, that's a fast football team defensively, and he didn't get caught," said Singleton, referencing Collins' 80-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Collins' coaches and teammates have singled out his excellent work in pass protection and his effort in the classroom.

"The proudest thing for me as a coach -- and he scored a lot of touchdowns and had a lot of yards -- was his GPA and what he did this semester," Singleton said. "Having all As and one B was just unbelievable."

Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said he's glad his unit doesn't have to face Collins.

"He has very, very good vision, and he can make cuts in a timely fashion that allows him to spring to the second level of a defense," Smith said. "He can get up on you in a hurry."

Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder described Collins as awfully good.

"I like the fact he's an aggressive runner, and he can run downhill hard, and he's got good movement to him," Snyder said. "He can make you miss. He's a good change-of-direction guy."

Several Arkansas defenders discussed trying to get Collins on the ground Wednesday.

"The way he carries himself and carries the ball is different. He's not easy to tackle. He just moves his body different than anybody else, and it's exciting to watch," safety Rohan Gaines said.

"He's a load, and he's really shifty, so it's very difficult to bring him down," linebacker Brooks Ellis said.

"He can find different holes that probably the normal running back can't see," defensive tackle Demarcus Hodge said. "He'll shake and juke his way until he finds an open hole."

Collins said he's thought briefly about whether he'll return or declare for the draft, but he is waiting until after the bowl game to focus on the decision.

The most attractive reason to return, he said, is to finish his degree in criminal justice.

"They stress it here, academics first," he said. "They want us to be able to be successful outside of football or when football is done. That would be first on my list as to why I would come back."

Bielema said Collins' draft evaluation came back as a "middle-round" grade.

"He's got a decision to make," Bielema said. "You can make a lot of money by coming back. If he does it again, now he becomes an elite back.

"He's one of three backs in SEC history to run three straight seasons of 1,000 yards, and if he can do it for four it's going to be a feat and a half if he comes back."

Sports on 12/31/2015