South Plantation’s Collins among local players drafted

OnNational SigningDay 2013, Alex Collins was missing from the ceremony at South Plantation because his mother, wishing he would stay close to home and attend Miami, held onto the letter of intent hewas to fax to Arkansas.

There was much less dramaon Saturday as Collins transitioned from college to the pros, butMomwill nowwatch him trek to the opposite end of the country.

Collins, taken by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round, was one of seven players out of Broward or Palm Beach County to get selected in rounds four through seven of the NFL draft on Saturday after Joey Bosa was drafted Thursday and Jacoby Brissettwas picked on Friday.

IfMarshawnLynch does officially retire in Seattle, Collins, wholast season with the Razorbacks joined Darren McFadden and HerschelWalker as the only SEC running backs to start their careers with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, could see his fair share of carries.

Before Collins was taken, former Blanche Ely cornerback Rashard Robinson, following a troubled collegiate career, was taken No. 133 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round despite missing his entire junior season.

While Robinson’s talent as a four-star recruit out of Ely was unquestionable, his academic issues — with enrollment in limbo before his freshman year and indefinite suspension as a sophomore — limited his productivity. After being bumped from the team, he was arrested in June 2015 for unauthorized entry into the apartment of a former team mate where items were stolen.

Thanks in large part to his 4.43 40-yard dash time, the Niners took a chance on him.

Former Glades Central linebacker Jatavis Brown was taken by the San Diego Chargers with the last pick of the fifth round.

Brown fell in the draft, much like he did during his recruitment out of high school, due to his lack of size. He was a two-star recruit that went to Akron, but at 5-11, 227 pounds, he makes up for it with his ability to outrun blockers (4.47 in the 40). Hewas named MAC Defensive Player of the Year last season and is a three-time first-team all-MAC selection.

The second St. Thomas product to get taken after Bosawent third overall came in the sixth round as quarterback Jake Rudock went to the Detroit Lions. Rudock started for three years in college between stints at Iowa andMichigan.

Glades Day product Kelvin Taylor, son of Florida and Jacksonville Jaguars great Fred Taylor, will rejoin former Gators teammate Jeff Driskel as bothwere drafted by the 49ers in the sixth round.

University School alum Daniel Braverman, who at 5-10 and shifty couldmake for a decent slot receiver after 109 catches last season at Western Michigan, went to the Chicago Bears seven picks later.