Alabama star safety Landon Collins has announced his intention to forgo his final season of college eligibility with the Crimson Tide and enter the 2015 NFL draft, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. Getlin had previously reported that Collins was virtually a "lock" to leave school for the NFL after this season.
Collins, who will turn 22 this Saturday, recorded 90 tackles and three interceptions in his junior season at Alabama. CBS Sports ranks him as the No. 7 overall prospect on their big board, and the top overall safety in the draft. ESPN's draft insider Todd McShay has Collins being selected ninth by the Chicago Bears in his Mock Draft 1.0. Here's what McShay had to say about the standout defensive back.
"Collins is a very impressive athlete for the safety position, with a strong, compact build, quick feet, and good length and leaping ability," McShay wrote. "He's a good open-field tackler, possesses good ball skills and plays with an edge. The Bears need all the help they can get on defense."
Chicago finished the regular season as the third-worst total defense in the league, allowing 377.1 yards per game.
While safeties aren't traditionally drafted in the top five, there has been some speculation that the Washington Redskins could select Collins at No. 5. The Redskins desperately need help in their secondary and Collins projects as an above-average starter in the NFL. The 6 foot, 222 pound safety would be an immediate upgrade over 35-year-old Ryan Clark, who is not under contract for 2015, and Brandon Meriweather.
Collins was named a unanimous All-American and first-team All-SEC this season. The Crimson Tide ranked sixth in opposing points per game (18.4) this season.
NCAA underclassmen still have a week to declare their intent to enter the 2015 draft.