Landon Collins Declares for 2015 NFL Draft: Latest Details and Reaction

Landon Collins, one of the top safeties in the country, has decided to leave Alabama in favor of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Collins announced his decision at a press conference on Friday, according to Bleacher Report lead writer Marc Torrence:

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Collins also took to Instagram to thank his fans:

Collins has been one of the best players in the secondary for the Crimson Tide over the last two seasons. His ability to cover the entire field has led to five combined interceptions during his sophomore and junior campaigns, including a crucial pick against Mississippi State in a 25-20 victory this season.

Earlier in 2014, former NFL scout John Middlekauff made it clear what he thought about Collins' stock:

In recent years, Alabama has produced multiple NFL-caliber defensive backs. Both Mark Barron (2012) and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (2014) were taken in the first round, but one AFC scout believes Collins might be better than both, via Albert Breer of NFL.com:

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He's better than (Mark) Barron, he's better than Ha Ha (Clinton-Dix). If you look at him, he plays special teams, he plays defense and he's all-out. He's just a football player. Good range, good hands, explosive tackler, always around the ball. ... Barron was a good player, but more of a thumper. Ha Ha was more rangy. This guy is a mixture of both.

"

Losing Collins leaves a huge void in the Tide's secondary, but there is still plenty of depth at the position. Laurence Jones is waiting in the wings and Deionte Thompson has already committed for the 2015 class.

It should be interesting to see where Collins lands in the draft with several teams in need of help in the secondary. The only question now is whether his mother will be happy with his decision.

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