Landon Collins

Collins signed with Alabama coach Nick Saban amid great fanfare, earning consensus five-star grades and the top spot among all prep safeties for most recruiting sites. Collins didn't earn a start as a freshman but made an impact nonetheless, tying for the team lead with 10 special teams tackles and operating as a key reserve in the deep patrol. He was pressed into duty in 2013 with returning starter Vinnie Sunseri suffering a torn ACL and responded by finishing second to only star CJ Mosley with 70 tackles, including four for a loss. Collins also showed off his playmaking ability, forcing two fumbles, recovering two others and intercepting two passes, one of which he returned for a score. He went on to lead the team with 103 tackles as a junior, along with three interceptions, 10 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Collins has seen action at both strong and free safety and projects as a first-round pick in large part because he should be able to handle either role at the next level. He has limitations in coverage, but plays with range and is an intimidating presence in the secondary.

better working downhill when he can attack the action, but has shown improvement in pass coverage, learning from past mistakes and improving his awareness in the deep half of the field.

Fluid in space and displays cornerback traits with his footwork, hips and transitional quickness to line up in man or zone coverage. At his best reading and reacting in the run game, attacking downhill like a physical missile with the technique and power to finish stops without hesitation.

strengths

Well-built athlete with light feet and fluid hips to change direction quickly. Forceful and reliable open-field tackler who often rips at the ball aggressively as he's taking opponents to the ground.

compares to

T.J. Ward, Broncos - If allowed to attack, Collins' aggression, physicality and knack for creating big plays could lead to him becoming a star in the NFL. He isn't a top-notch cover safety, however, and therefore should be complemented with other speedier options in the secondary.

weaknesses

Trusts his eyes and can be deceived with good play-action or by savvy quarterbacks who will look one way and fire the other. Much more effective coming downhill in run support or protecting the middle on crossing routes than with his back turned to the quarterback. Possesses good but not elite speed and doesn't show the burst to recover when beaten initially. Doesn't possess great hands for the interception, dropping multiple potential interceptions over his career. Struggles of past Saban-coached defensive backs in the NFL is reason for concern.

A consensus five-star prospect and the No. 1 safety in the nation by ESPNU and 247sports.com and a unanimous top player in the state of Louisiana

a Parade All-American

first-team USA Today High School All-American

the No. 3 prospect nationally by 247sports.com and the No. 6 overall talent by ESPNU

starred in the Under Armour All-American Game, recording an interception and keying a goal-line stand

ESPNU has Collins as the No. 2 overall recruit in the Southeast

MaxPrep's Tom Lemming ranks him as the No. 10 overall player and the top safety

Rivals.com rates him as the No. 17 overall player and the No. 2 safety while Scout.com lists him 20th overall and the No. 2 safety

No. 3 on the SuperPrep Elite 50 list

a SuperPrep All-American, the publication's No. 1 defensive back and the top player in Louisiana as well as the SuperPrep Southwest Defensive Player of the Year

No. 19 on the PrepStar Dream Team

PrepStar All-American and All-Southeast Region choice

PrepStar's No. 1 safety

No. 3 in the Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120

2012 247sports.com All-American as a defensive back. Selected to the Orlando Sentinel's All-Southern team

was clocked at 4.39 in the 40-yard dash with an astounding 43.5-inch vertical

excelled on both sides of the ball as a senior, becoming the first player in Louisiana Sports Writers Association history to earn 5A All-State honors on both sides of the ball

also LSWA 5A All-State selection as a junior

had 34 tackles with four interceptions - two returned for touchdowns - on the defensive side of the ball while rushing for 1,218 yards and 21 touchdowns on offense while averaging 13.7 yards per carry

as a junior in 2010, recorded 102, tackles with 12 tackles for loss and four interceptions

had 26 tackles with 1.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery as a sophomore in 2009

coached by Benny Saia

one of the top players in the country, Collins had his choice of programs from across the nation.