re: Alex Collins going pro

quote:

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You guys were actually pretty good these past two years.

Losing a lot next year, though. And LSU keeping almost everything.

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Sure we lose some on offense, but the positions we will lose guys, we have recruited really well.

We lose some Oline, but we have highly touted guys to replace those departing.
We lose our QB, but we have 3 highly touted guys to replace BA.
We lose our starting RB, but we have a returning 6th year senior, a true Sophomore who was having a good freshman year before injury, and Bert right now has the 3rd best RB in the 2015-2016 class.
We lose Hunter Henry, but still have Jeremy Sprinkle and a plethora of young TE talent behind him.

Arkansas will be fine. As bad as the defense was, everyone is back on that side of the ball. All of the WRs return which will help the new QB.

Arkansas is losing a few key skill position players, two offensive linemen, and two total off the defensive side of the ball.

The most difficult thing to replace will be the offensive linemen. Kirkland especially is an enormous blow. The good news is that Bielema has done a good job recruiting and developing talent there. The rest of the offense looks fine from where I sit. Earlier this season I thought Arkansas's chances were done when Jwill, Hatcher, and Cornelius all went down with injuries. Other than BA, those guys accounted for pretty much ALL of Arkansas's offense last season. Guys stepped up big time and Arkansas finished the season with one of the SEC's most potent offenses, despite losing its premier back and most productive receiver.

As far as QB goes, Bielema said midway through the year that Austin Allen was the team's best backup player, regardless of position, and he looked more than "serviceable" in limited action this season.

Defense isn't really much of an issue. If they play even 3 points better than they did this season, I will be fine with it. Either way, Enos's offense is going to prove very difficult for people to stop next season.

I hope Collins has a long and productive career in the NFL. He represented the University of Arkansas with class, and was one hell of a running back. Behind McFadden, he's the best we have ever had. It's gonna be tough for anyone to fill his shoes, but the team looks fine at that position. Rawleigh Williams (provided he is cleared to play) is very promising, and Devwah Whaley has a shot to be the next great Arkansas running back. Not worried at all.