Alex Collins got to enjoy National Signing Day — just one day later.

With his father, Johnny, his aunt, Loretta, and his grandmother, Betty, by his side, the South Plantation star running back signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Arkansas on Thursday afternoon. The school received his fax and announced it.

His mother, who ran off without signing those same papers Wednesday at a scheduled signing day event at his school, wasn’t at the private event held Thursday at Bokamper’s Sports Bar and Grill in Plantation. Instead, she hired attorney Jack Paris of The Cochran Firm South Florida, according to a news release, to represent “the family’s interests while she contemplates” where her son should decide to play football.

But Collins didn’t need his mother’s blessing. He got his father to sign the letter of intent. NCAA rules require prospects under the age of 21 to have a parent or legal guardian sign the letter of intent in order for it to be considered valid. South Plantation athletic director Mike Collins said the NCAA would accept the signed letter of intent because Johnny Collins Jr. is Collins’ biological father and is listed on his birth certificate.

“I’m happy. I’m excited. I’m happy it’s over,” said Alex Collins, who was rated the nation’s No. 1 all-purpose running back by 247Sports.com and had announced he was picking Arkansas on a cable show Monday night.

“I didn’t think about going anywhere else because I had my mind set. This is where I wanted to go. I talked to Mom and let her know. I explained myself, and we got a better understanding.”

Collins, dressed in camouflage and wearing a camouflage tie, said he didn’t know his mother, Andrea McDonald, had hired a lawyer. He said it was his understanding she was supporting him based on a conversation he had with her before heading to Bokamper’s to sign his letter of intent.

“The last conversation was basically about why I chose Arkansas and why I felt the love at Arkansas. She understood and supported me behind it,” Collins said. “She always supported me, it’s just the fact from her standpoint she wants to make sure this is the right decision for me and I’m not just picking a school and not understanding what I’m getting into. I’m leaving the state and I’m going to be a four-to-five hours plane ride away and she just wants to make sure this is what I really want to do.”

McDonald, though, apparently isn’t as supportive of Collins’ decision as he thinks. A few hours after Collins’ party cleared out at Bokamper’s, the law firm hired by McDonald released the following statement: “Ms. McDonald understands that Alex has received consent from his father who has signed the letter-of-intent for him to play football for the University of Arkansas. However, our client’s initial intentions remain unchanged.

“She is a loving and caring mother who only wants her son to choose a university without any outside and inappropriate influences. Ms. McDonald hopes all NCAA rules and regulations were followed during today’s signing. She is not seeking any personal financial gain because her only concern is for Alex’s happiness and well being. The Cochran Firm is standing by Ms. McDonald in this difficult time and has made all of the firm’s resources available to her as she explores her options.”