Alex Collins, an accomplished American professional football athlete, held the role of a running back in the National Football League (NFL). His journey to the NFL was paved through college football, where he showcased his skills as a player for the Arkansas Razorbacks. His talent did not go unnoticed, leading to his selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, where he was chosen as the 171st overall pick.
Bio/Wiki
Age-28years
Height- 1.78 m
Weight-98kg
Born- 26 August 1994
Birthplace- Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Death- 13 August 2023
Death place- Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, United States
Profession-Football Athlete
Number-36 (Seattle Seahawks / Running back), MORE
Nationality- American
Family
Alex Collins’ upbringing was influenced by his parents, namely Andrea McDonald and Johnny Collins Jr. His mother, Andrea McDonald, played a significant role in molding his formative years.
Girlfriend
He maintained a private stance regarding his romantic affiliations on public platforms, which led to speculation that he was probably unattached at the time of his unfortunate passing.
Career
Early Career
Collins attended South Plantation High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, participating as a letterman in various sports including football, basketball, lacrosse, and track. Under the guidance of coach Doug Gatewood, he was named Broward County Player of the Year during his junior year, amassing impressive stats of 1,786 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. His team secured playoff berths with seven wins.
In his senior year, despite missing three games due to injury, Collins still managed to rush for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, playing a crucial role in South Plantation’s nine victories, district championship, and entry into the 8A state playoffs. Notably, he was chosen to take part in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, sharing the field with fellow Arkansas recruit Austin Allen.Beyond football, Collins exhibited his sprinting prowess as a member of the state-champion 4 × 100 m relay team at South Plantation, contributing to his selection as the 2013 Broward County Male Athlete of the Year.
Earning a four-star ranking from Rivals.com, Collins secured his spot as the 13th best running back in his class. In February 2013, he committed to play college football at the University of Arkansas.
During the signing day, a moment of tension emerged when Collins’ mother hesitated to sign the National Letter of Intent (LOI) for his enrollment at Arkansas, desiring him to attend the University of Miami. Eventually, Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema intervened, sending another LOI which was duly signed by Collins’ father, concluding the dramatic episode.
College Career
Collins had an impactful stint at the University of Arkansas from 2013 to 2015. He kicked off his college career as the first true freshman in SEC history to achieve the remarkable feat of rushing for 300 yards in his first three games. Sharing playing time with Jonathan Williams, he concluded his debut year with 1,026 rushing yards on 190 carries, along with four touchdowns. Recognizing his exceptional performance, he was honored with the title of the 2013 SEC Freshman of the Year.
During his sophomore season in 2014, Collins continued to shine, accumulating 1,100 rushing yards and securing 12 touchdowns through 204 carries. His contributions significantly contributed to Arkansas’ victory over the Texas Longhorns in the Texas Bowl.
With Williams sidelined due to injury in the subsequent 2015 season, Collins assumed a prominent role in Bret Bielema’s offensive strategy. He began every game in his junior year and, on November 7, 2015, attained a remarkable distinction by becoming just the third player in SEC history to achieve over 1,000 rushing yards for three seasons, joining the ranks of Herschel Walker and Darren McFadden. His junior season concluded with an impressive 1,577 rushing yards and a school-record 20 rushing touchdowns. Despite earning second-team all-SEC honors, Collins’ statistics were overshadowed by the exceptional performances of Derrick Henry from Alabama and Leonard Fournette from LSU, both of whom were All-Americans.
Collins led Arkansas to a triumph in the Liberty Bowl against Kansas State on January 2, 2016, where he played a pivotal role, amassing 185 yards and securing three rushing touchdowns, resulting in his recognition as the MVP of the game.
His tenure with the Razorbacks positioned Collins as the second-highest career rusher in the program’s history, with a total of 3,703 yards, trailing only behind the legendary Darren McFadden’s 4,590 yards.
Professional Career
On January 10, 2016, Collins communicated his decision to forego his senior year and enter the 2016 NFL Draft through an open letter to Arkansas supporters. His draft projections placed him as a potential third-round selection, and he held the rank of the third-best running back according to CBSSports.com before the combine.
Reports surfaced on April 12, 2016, indicating that Collins had engaged in a pre-draft meeting with representatives from the Miami Dolphins. As the pre-draft evaluation phase concluded, most NFL draft experts and analysts predicted Collins to be chosen in the third or fourth round. He garnered the fifth spot among running backs in rankings by Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Focus, while NFLDraftScout.com positioned him as the tenth best running back.
Seattle Seahawks
Collins was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round (171st overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He was the 13th running back chosen in the draft, one of three selected by the Seahawks that year.
In May 2016, Collins signed a four-year deal worth $2.2 million with a $184,000 bonus. During training camp, he competed for the starting running back role against other players like Thomas Rawls and Christine Michael. While Rawls and Prosise were sidelined due to injuries, Collins had a chance to shine. However, he ended up as the fourth running back on the depth chart after a somewhat average preseason.
Collins made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams but had minimal impact. In subsequent games, he gradually increased his contributions, recording his first career receptions and touchdowns. By the end of his rookie season, Collins had amassed 125 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and 84 receiving yards in 11 games.
The Seahawks secured a playoff spot that season, and Collins participated in two playoff games.
Collins faced competition for the starting running back position during training camp. The Seahawks reportedly considered trading him due to a crowded backfield. He was waived by the Seahawks on September 2, 2017.
Baltimore Ravens
Shortly after his release, Collins joined the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 16, 2017, and went on to become a significant part of the Ravens’ offense during the season. He achieved notable milestones, including his first career start, touchdowns, and a streak of games without a fumble. By the end of the season, he led the Ravens in rushing yards with 973 yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Collins continued his role as the Ravens’ starting running back in 2018, but injuries limited his performance. He was placed on injured reserve in December 2018 due to a foot injury. In 2019, he faced legal issues and a suspension from the NFL.
Collins returned to the Seahawks for a brief second stint in 2020, making appearances in several games and even scoring a touchdown.
In 2021, Collins re-signed with the Seahawks and had a productive season, recording over 400 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
He later joined the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL) in 2023 but was placed on the injured reserve list.
Net Worth 2023
Reportedly, prior to his passing, Collins’ net worth was estimated to be approximately $5 million in 2023. Most of his wealth was attributed to his successful football career. According to Spotrac, his total earnings throughout his five-year NFL career amounted to $3,047,407. This sum included $2,863,022 in base salary and an additional $184,385 from signing bonuses.
Cause Of Death
Former NFL running back Alex Collins, who previously played for the Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks, has tragically passed away at the age of 28 due to a motorcycle accident.
Reportedly, Collins was riding a motorcycle when it collided with an SUV in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, on Sunday evening. Regrettably, he was declared deceased at the accident site.
The driver of the SUV, whose identity was not disclosed, remained present at the scene and cooperated fully with law enforcement, as confirmed by the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.
In an official statement from the Seahawks, the team he was associated with for three seasons, Collins’ family conveyed that he possessed an “exceptional and lively persona.” The statement remembered him as a person who impacted his family, friends, and supporters worldwide with his determination and exuberance. The family also requested thoughts and prayers during this challenging period.
John Harbaugh, the head coach of the Ravens, shared his memories of Collins, praising him for his team spirit and unwavering determination that had a positive influence on everyone around him. Harbaugh highlighted Collins’ integral role in the Ravens’ successes during his time with the team.
The Ravens expressed their condolences through a social media post, describing Collins as a beacon of kindness who carried a unique sense of joy and fervor wherever he went. They expressed hope that Collins’ legacy would be his ability to spread light and love among those he encountered.
Recently, Collins had joined the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League, marking the latest chapter in his football career. He signed with the Showboats in January before this tragic incident occurred.
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