Alex Collins

[cpohog]

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation

[greasy_corner]

Nice find. 

[COCHISE]

190 carries for 1,026 yards in 2013
187 carries for 1,024 yards in 2014

If nothing else, he's consistent.

[Hawgzinbowlz]

We need him to strut that South Florida athleticism in Houston.

" GO HOGS "

[3kgthog]

He doesn't look as nimble this year. Is it just me?

[ErieHog]

He doesn't look as nimble this year. Is it just me?

He looks just fine;  if anything, his game shows that he has taken coaching extremely well.

[Dominicanhog]

He doesn't look as nimble this year. Is it just me?

and it's borne out by his stats, there so much worse this year.

[ricepig]

He doesn't look as nimble this year. Is it just me?

His vision, patience, and cuts are what make him a great back, although there are times I wish he would just "JWill" it in there. I've got no complaints.

[ArkRazr]

Like coach b said they haven't even scratched the surface to what Alex Collins will be and I truly believe that

[MissippHog]

He doesn't look as nimble this year. Is it just me?

Yeah, probably is.  Of course you always look for the negative.

[urkillnmesmalls]

He's a "picker."  He follows blocks and is very adept at making the LB in the hole miss.  My only criticism would be that there's a time for being patient, and a time for finding a crack and hitting it full bore to get a yard or two when it's needed.  To this point...JWill has been much better in short yardage.  AC has the better vision and ability to make people miss. 

His improvement this year is the ability to get an extra few yards after contact once he's gotten up to speed.  He's got the power game, I just think he needs to launch faster on the short yardage plays.   

[Hoggish1]

His vision, patience, and cuts are what make him a great back, although there are times I wish he would just "JWill" it in there. I've got no complaints.

I saw too much dancing from both JWill and Collins @ MO. 

[Deep Shoat]

I saw too much dancing from both JWill and Collins @ MO.

I think a lot of that had to do with the Mizzou DL rolling around in our backfield.

[Hoggish1]

He's a "picker."  He follows blocks and is very adept at making the LB in the hole miss.  My only criticism would be that there's a time for being patient, and a time for finding a crack and hitting it full bore to get a yard or two when it's needed.  To this point...JWill has been much better in short yardage.  AC has the better vision and ability to make people miss. 

His improvement this year is the ability to get an extra few yards after contact once he's gotten up to speed.  He's got the power game, I just think he needs to launch faster on the short yardage plays.   

Agreed.

Alex is a good back.  He still needs a step.

[Hook 'em Hogs]

I think he is faster this year. 

[urkillnmesmalls]

I think a lot of that had to do with the Mizzou DL rolling around in our backfield.

Yep.  They did a great job of hitting gaps, stunts, and using their speed to their advantage.  I give them a lot of credit for finding ways to gain an advantage through alignment, slants, and other things that really never gave us the chance to get a body on a body and use our size advantage. 

There were times last season when I think the TTech game hurt us somewhat.  In that game, we blocked so well that our RB's had time to skip around, find holes, and then accelerate.  That's really the last time we were able to do that, and from that point on we never seems to have that quick first few steps into the hole. 

It made me think of when Micheal Smith worked with Knile Davis and told him that a crack is a hole in the SEC, and you just have to fire through it.  At times...I think our RB's could use some of that same advice. 

But...that's getting nit picky.  They are both great, and for both of them to have stayed healthy for two seasons is phenomenal.   

[ricepig]

I think a lot of that had to do with the Mizzou DL rolling around in our backfield.

Yeah, sometimes they were there waiting for the handoff. It seems it would have been a good time for the quick fullback trap we've run, but what do I know.

[ATLHog]

190 carries for 1,026 yards in 2013
187 carries for 1,024 yards in 2014

If nothing else, he's consistent.

LOL- thought the same thing

[urkillnmesmalls]

I think he is faster this year.

Hmm...I haven't seen that.  I think he's got more power and doesn't go down as easily after contact, but not sure about faster.  Everyone uses that UGA play where he was drug down from behind by the LB, but that dude runs a 4.35 forty, so he would have drug down most backs on that play. 

IMO we would see more long runs if our WR's were more physical and able to make better down field blocks.  That's something that goes unnoticed at times, but it can make a good play a great play. 

[Hoggish1]

I think he is faster this year. 

Yep, a bit.

[razorbackfanatic]

After the Texas Tech game everyone was saying he looks faster this season, then after the slump he went thru everyone said he looks slower lol!

I think speed wise he's pretty much the same. He has a very explosive step thru his cuts and gets to top speed very quickly, that's his bread and butter. But his top end speed is not special. Honestly I think he is tailor made for the NFL. Remember Arian Foster at Tennessee? He wasn't that special(Collins has already had a better college career) but look at how he follows his blocks and uses great vision and burst thru his cuts in the NFL. Emmitt Smith also comes to mind.

Collins definitely showed added power this season. I agree as already stated above that he need to sometimes just hit the whole full speed in some of those short yard situations. DMAC was great at that,
He even ran into the back of his own guy sometimes which wasn't great, but most of the time it paid off getting that 1 or 2 yards.

[DLUXHOG]

Where did the writer of the article get the idea that AC is candidate for the 2015 draft?

[Firefighter]

Where did the writer of the article get the idea that AC is candidate for the 2015 draft?

It says "after the 2015 season".  So the 2016 draft.

[DLUXHOG]

It says "after the 2015 season".  So the 2016 draft.

Whew!   thanks........

[razorbackfanatic]

One of my all time favorite run of AC was his run against Texas A&M just before halftime his freshman season. It was with about :38 seconds left in the half. He got the ball and instantly made a back door cut and was at full speed by the line of scrimmage and streaked down the east sideline for a gain of about 30 or 40. He was moving on that run and the way he burst thru his cut was special. He's a very special player and he is really under appreciated. I think he'll have a great season next year.

[thefisher]

None of our backs can house it.  Need some speed. And quit fumbling.

This one might be a little to the house.

[MissippHog]

None of our backs can house it.  Need some speed. And quit fumbling.

No doubt.

[ErieHog]

I think a lot of that had to do with the Mizzou DL rolling around in our backfield.

And doing what you are coached to do-  people use that 'dancing' nonsense all the time.  You keep your feet moving, and let the play develop--  that's basic teaching.

[Ragnar Hogbrok]

hmmm ... invalid link. let's try again.

Just put the "PGS8iuY_ubs" in the URL between the [ youtube] html.

Like this:

[WADHOG]

I think a lot of that had to do with the Mizzou DL rolling around in our backfield.

yes

[ldfergu]

190 carries for 1,026 yards in 2013
187 carries for 1,024 yards in 2014

If nothing else, he's consistent.

It's funny because to a lot of folks it seemed like he took a step back this year..

[LRRandy]

Not many running backs put back to back 1,000 yard rushing years up. Even fewer go 3 in a row. He is putting together a great college career.

[gmarv]

I really enjoy watching Collins play,especially like how he finishes a play by making sure to hand the ball to a ref.

[HogMantheIntruder]

This one might be a little to the house.

Who threw that final block?

[Hogfanbornin94]

If I remember correctly it was nate Holmes.

[pfrg999]

I saw too much dancing from both JWill and Collins @ MO. 

They were very patient....sometimes to a fault... But AC will be a 1000 yard workhorse every year we are lucky enough to have him

[elksnort]

His vision, patience, and cuts are what make him a great back, although there are times I wish he would just "JWill" it in there. I've got no complaints.

The three attributes you mentioned are what truly makes him a very good back. He just doesn't have that extra gear though.

[HF#1]

I hope both return next season.  Another year for the O-line to grow and develop, with those two in the backfield, oh lawd...

[Hogwild]

He doesn't look as nimble this year. Is it just me?

Not sure if is the competition or if he wears down near the end of season.  Both season you did see a drop off at the end compared to the early part of the season.  40% of his yards came in the first three weeks of the season.

[Danny J]

He doesn't look as nimble this year. Is it just me?

No...its not just you. Both my Dad and I have said that from the get go of the season. Not complaining mind you as his yardage was almost as good as last year but was really hoping to see that increase a bit. He still has some of the same moves but I not nearly as often or so it seemed.

[Pig In The City]

We have great backs that are only going to get better.  You can really tell the difference in size between this year and last.  I think he may need to adjust to the added bulk.  I think he needs to be a bit leaner but you can't argue with the stats. 

[Arthur pigby sellers.]

They were both wearing down by the end of the season.  I know we had the hardest schedule in the country and most of those teams were there because of their defense.  Too many hits by too many future nfl players.  I think all those fumbles against Missouri were mainly because our backs were worn out after playing LSU and Ole Miss defense.  I bet you will be surprised how our backs look against Texas with fresh legs.

[20hog11]

Let me start off by saying that I am a huge fan of both jwill and collins, but there were times when they just couldn't get it done this year. There were multiple 4th and 1s or 4th and goals where neither back was able to get that 1 yard. The blocking didn't help and we were playing against some great defenses, but it was still a surprise to see them get stopped over and over again in short yardage situations. I hope we can make the proper adjustments so those situations result in touchdowns and first downs next year.

[bigred223]

Collins really needs to hit the weight room hard this offseason. He's already got all those things that you can't teach. His vision is elite, and his cutting ability in tight spaces is incredible. He doesn't have elite speed, but he is fast enough. I think it would serve him well to trim up a bit and get stronger in his lower body. That being said he is a great back, and I've enjoyed watching him the last two years. Hopefully next year will be his best yet.

[PorkRinds]

Yep guys, alex realy needs to change some things. Two back to back thousand yard seasons just isn't going to cut it. He's gotta work harder. 

[HSVhogfan2]

Last thing Collins needs is to hit the weight room any harder. Just needs more touches and let his God-given ability take over.

[ballz2thewall]

He looks just fine;  if anything, his game shows that he has taken coaching extremely well.

man, you're good:)

[bigred223]

His ability will only improve the harder he works off the field. I'm not saying he doesn't work hard now, but anyone can get better. He does need more touches though, and I expect he and j will will look very good with fresh legs in the bowl game.

[LZH]

His vision and start-stop ability is excellent.  I still think if he would play at 200 lbs it would help him tremendously.  But what do I know, I haven't seen 200 lbs since the 11th grade.

[CFB_Fanatic]

Hmm...I haven't seen that.  I think he's got more power and doesn't go down as easily after contact, but not sure about faster.  Everyone uses that UGA play where he was drug down from behind by the LB, but that dude runs a 4.35 forty, so he would have drug down most backs on that play. 

IMO we would see more long runs if our WR's were more physical and able to make better down field blocks.  That's something that goes unnoticed at times, but it can make a good play a great play.

Then what about when the Miss St safety ran him down from 10 yards behind him? That should never happen to an RB.

Collins is a good back but speed is what's keeping him from being great. He isnt fast enough to take it to the house on any given play. Thats where we miss Marshall's speed     I hope Alex can improve in the offseason and get that killer instinct some speed.