FAYETTEVILLE — Former University of Arkansas star running back Alex Collins died in a traffic accident near his Florida home town late Sunday night.
News of his passing was recognized by the UA, the two NFL franchises for which he played, the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, as well as the league office.
A Broward County Sheriff’s Office report on the accident stated Collins was driving a Suzuki motorcycle in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., at about 10:20 p.m. when an SUV traveling from the opposite direction turned into his path, causing Collins to crash through the rear passenger side window. According to the report, Collins was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We are so saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Alex Collins,” the Razorbacks’ football account posted on social media. “He was a legendary Razorback and an even better person. His love for the Razorbacks and desire to be a Hog was undeniable. We will miss him greatly.”
Coach Sam Pittman also weighed in, writing in a statement, “Alex Collins was such a wonderful person and loved the Razorbacks and we loved him too. Our thoughts are with his family and his teammates and the entire Razorback Nation. RIP #3.”
Collins, 28, notched the third-highest single-season rushing total in Arkansas history with 1,577 yards in 2015. He ranks second in career rushing at Arkansas with 3,703 yards behind Darren McFadden’s 4,590 yards.
Collins is one of only four SEC running backs to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, joining all-time greats in Georgia’s Herschel Walker (1980-82), LSU’s Kevin Faulk (1996-98) and McFadden (2005-07) in that achievement.
Collins also played the key role in one of the most celebrated plays in Razorback football history. He scooped up a long lateral by tight end Hunter Henry in overtime at Ole Miss and raced 31 yards to convert a fourth-and-25 play in overtime. The Razorbacks won the game 53-52 and the play has entered Arkansas legend as the Henry Heave.
