At the risk of my whole reputation thus far, I'm gonna tell you what I think about Alex Collins.
I've visited South Plantation three times during last season, seen all the ups and downs. I've talked to all the coaches at practice, been on the sidelines during games. I've seen Alex dominate a game, I've seen him rendered to regular because of nicks and bruises.
I think Alex is naturally gifted, don't get me wrong. He shows plenty of natural instincts which you can't coach. He's good in the open field and naturally physical, doesn't shy away at contact and is good in traffic, breaking tackles and finding an opening and accelerating through the hole.
However, I know that he was worn down after 100, 125 carries, began to pick up nicks and bruises, which is natural for a runner of his style. What concerns me is 100 carries after ACC contact; is he gonna hold up physically? I have my doubts because Corch Gatewood told me he doesn't promote offseason weight lifting. What, are you kidding me? Yes, Corch himself told me he doesn't require lifting, instead promotes the "high school experience." Is it really surprising to find this out since South Plantation has never really been a difference maker on the South Florida HS football scene until this year and he had a couple of natural athletes? Answer is, absolutely not. South Plantation, as much as I was welcomed and saw inside stuff, the program is NOT well coached, outside of DB Coach Freeman which I saw in action and loved.
I digress. My main concern is Collins' durability. I saw how he handled a shoulder injury, including a finger injury late in the season after a hundred plus carries. I know he was basically their offense, but the tread on his tires over the course of an ACC season right now is questionable in my eyes because I have reason to believe he's not physically ready for the punishment over four months.
Why?, you say? I saw him play nicked, so did Peter. He was ineffective. Very. You have to play nicked in the ACC, it's part of the game. 100% healthy, he's a great back. I love what he brings. But I have serious questions about durability and effectiveness after mid-October if he were to get a heavy dose of carries because of the lack of training in high school.
And some of you guys like canesman, CaneBoss, Crispy, miamimike, Plzwork4... lay off my man because he echoed what I told him after I saw and experienced. You keyboard scouts amuse me sometimes.