Bret Bielema remembers the life of Alex Collins: 'It was all Pig Sooie for him'

It was a heartbreaking day for the Arkansas football community on Monday as news came that Alex Collins had passed away in a motorcycle accident at 28 years old. A former Razorbacks running back, Collins provided fans with plenty of memories playing under coach Bret Bielema from 2013-15.

With the wound of the news still fresh, Bielema, now the coach at Illinois, opened up on not only what Collins meant to him and the program, but also what Arkansas meant to him.

“His appreciation for all things Arkansas was through the roof,” Bielema told Saturday Down South. “He loved the Razorbacks. It was all Pig Sooie for him.”

Alex Collins arrived in Arkansas as a highly touted recruit out of South Plantation High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He immediately made an impact as a true freshman, becoming the first running back in SEC history to rush for 100 yards in his first three games. He led the team with 1,026 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the season.

Collins went on to surpass 1,000 yards rushing in each of the next two seasons to finish his Razorbacks career with 3,703 yards and 36 touchdowns, both of which rank second in school history. He helped Arkansas achieve bowl wins in each of his final two seasons before being taken in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

Bielema recalled just how badly Collins wanted to be a Razorback even before committing to the team, sharing a story about a visit he made to the running back’s home in Florida.

“I got a call from (South Plantation coach Doug Gatewood) who said Alex came out of his room crying because he didn’t think Arkansas would recruit him,” Bielema said. “I go down there for a final visit, and Alex didn’t live in the best area. I like to walk with kids through their neighborhood. You can get a good idea of who they are. It was late at night, and he says, ‘Don’t worry, Coach. You’re with me.’

“So we’re done walking and I look at him and say, ‘Arkansas is a totally different environment.’ But sometimes young guys need totally different to get where they want to be.”

It ended up working out great for Collins, who went on to play five seasons in the NFL with both the Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens. The news of his passing leaves many in Fayetteville and beyond with heavy hearts, but he’ll always be a Razorback thanks to the unwavering dedication he showed to the team.