Commentary

Drama Over For RB Collins

— Mama Drama is over — if at least just temporarily — and five-star college football prospect Alex Collins is a Razorback.

Collins, arguably the nation’s top tailback, signed with Arkansas on Thursday, a day after he tried to do so, but his mother, Andrea McDonald, absconded with his original national letter of intent.

That led to a second letter being sent and Collins, a star the past two seasons at Plantation (Fla.) South Plantation, becoming the 23rd Razorback signee of the 2013 class when his dad, Johnny Collins, signed the letter of intent.

“I’d like to take my talents to the University of Arkansas,” Collins said while signing his letter at Bokamper’s restaurant.

Arkansas confirmed soon afterward that his letter had been received.

"It feels good to finally get it out of the way,” Collins said right before the ceremony.”

He told South Florida Sun Sentinel writer Steve Gorten he never waivered on his decision to sign with the Razorbacks.

“I didn't think about going anywhere else because I had my mind set,” Collins said.

He chose Arkansas over Miami, Florida, Florida State and Wisconsin.

“It wasn’t necessarily something that turned me off about Miami," Collins said. "I love Miami. It’s a great place. But I’m not making a decision for everyone else. I’m making a decision for me and I feel I should go to Arkansas."

Collins, who showed up in complete camo attire, rushed for more than 1,400 yards last season and more than 1,700 yards as a junior in his first year of organized football.

He had called his dad on Wednesday after his mom left with his original letter of intent.

“I was upset that he was upset,” Johnny Collins said. “And I am glad it is over with.’

His mom, who did not attend Thursday’s ceremony, hired a lawyer Wednesday morning from the Cochran Firm, founded by former O.J. Simpson lawyer Johnnie Cochran.

A news release said McDonald hired the lawyer to represent the family “while she contemplates on signing the NCAA’s Letter of Intent.”

The National Letter of Intent, according to the NCAA's official website, is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an NLI member institution.

"If you are under the age of 21, regardless of marital status, your parent or legal guardian must sign the NLI in order for it to be considered valid," the website states.

Collins said he did not know his mom had hired an attorney and that she was on board now with his decision.

"I just talked to my mom and let her know,” Collins said. “I explained myself and we had a better understanding."

He said before the signing she was just showing care and concern.

“It is not necessarily her not wanting me to go to Arkansas, it was because she cares about me so much that she doesn't want me to make the wrong decision," Collins told CBS4 in Miami. "It was basically giving me time to sit down and make this decision because this is where I am going to be the next four years of my life.

"It is just her care inside that I am going to leave the state and am I comfortable with that. I understand. She gives me that time to think about it and I am pretty sure this is what I want to do and where I want to go.

"I respect her and understand why she did it, to give me more time and to let me really think about signing that paper. I respect it and I still love my mom."

Arkansas’ class is now ranked as high as 22 by one national recruiting service and no lower than 34 in any of the four major services.

The Razorbacks jumped more 20 spots this week with the addition of Collins, four-star Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington offensive lineman Denver Kirkland (6-foot-5, 335 pounds) and Egg Harbor City (NJ) Cedar Creek quarterback Damon Mitchell (6-3, 205).

Mitchell, nicknamed Duwop and previously committed to Georgia Tech, was one of seven players who were originally committed to other schools that flipped to Arkansas once Beielema and his staff arrived in Fayetteville.

Dudley E. Dawson is the recruiting editor for Hawgs Illustrated, an NWA Media publication. His recruiting column appears each Friday. Email [email protected].

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