One day late, Hogs finally sign RB

■ Collins gets assist from dad

PLANTATION, Fla. — South Plantation running back Alex Collins finally signed with the University of Arkansas on Thursday.

He didn’t need his mother’s signature after all.

Collins’ birth father, Johnny Collins, signed his national letter of intent.

The five-star recruit’s signing had been delayed because his mother, Andrea McDonald, had refused to sign his national letter of intent.

The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required for a studentathlete under age 21 for the binding agreement with an NCAA member institution to be valid.

With his signing, Collins, 18, ended the strange saga that had captured the nation’s attention for the past 24 hours.

“I’m happy it’s over,” said Collins, who wore camouflage overalls and a matching camouflage tie to Thursday’s signing ceremony at his high school. He also donned a red Razorbacks cap.

“I didn’t think about going anywhere else (in the last 24 hours) because I had my mind set this is where I wanted to go. I just

talked to my mom and let her know. I explained myself and we got a better understanding.”

Collins said he spoke with his mother one final time about noon Thursday.

“The last conversation I had with her was basically about why I chose Arkansas and why I felt the love at Arkansas,” he noted.

Collins insisted several times that his mother ultimately supported his decision to sign with Arkansas, but McDonald didn’t attend Thursday’s ceremony and an hour before, The Cochran Firm announced she had hired attorney Jack Paris “to represent the family’s interests.” About four hours later, Paris issued a statement that “Ms. McDonald hopes all NCAA rules and regulations were followed during today’s signing” and that she continues to “explore her options.”

Alex Collins said he was unaware of his mother’s

I’m happy it’s over. I didn’t think about going anywhere else because I had my mind set. (Arkansas) is where I wanted to go. I just talked to my mom ... and we have a better understanding.” Alex Collins, who signed with Razorbacks on Thursday.

decision to hire legal representation. McDonald wanted her son to sign with Miami, the school he verbally committed to in January 2012 and then decommitted from in November. Collins said Thursday the Hurricanes were his No. 2 choice and Wisconsin was No. 3.

Collins was set to sign with the Razorbacks at South Plantation on Wednesday after announcing his decision live on Fox Sports South on Monday night. But after he arrived at school with his mother, who was holding on to his national letter of intent papers, she left without signing and he also skipped the ceremony.

Alex Collins, who lives with his mother and three brothers, said his father attended all of his football games during the season and was scheduled to be at Wednesday’s ceremony, but he didn’t make it because of a miscommunication.

The running back called his father Wednesday afternoon, telling him his mother wouldn’t sign his letter of intent. Johnny Collins said he was “happy to help” his son.

“I was upset that he was upset,” Johnny Collins said. “And I’m glad it’s over with.”

Alex Collins ran for 2,915 yards and scored 38 touchdowns in his final two high school seasons, with some services touting him as the top all-purpose runner in this year’s recruiting class.