Michigan Football: Will Rashod Bateman’s decision impact Nico Collins?

Rashod Bateman’s return means Michigan football’s schedule will be tougher, but what about the potential return of Nico Collins?

We already knew that Michigan football was going to be facing the toughest schedule of all the teams in the Big Ten and Wednesday, it got even more difficult.

That’s because Minnesota, the team Michigan football will play in the first week, received news that wide receiver Rashod Bateman, is opting back in for the 2020 season.

Bateman was dominant last season for the Gophers and finished second in the Big Ten in receiving yards with 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes and averaged 20.3 yards per reception, which was the best in the conference.

Bateman announced the decision on his Twitter account Wednesday and it just means that the Wolverines will have something else to worry about Week 1 and that’s stopping or rather, trying to contain Bateman.

Of course, playing at Minnesota with returning quarterback Tanner Morgan was always going to be tough. However, Michigan’s defense returns plenty of experience, which is something Minnesota can’t say. I still feel good about Michigan’s chances but I’m not as optimistic.

Will Nico Collins possibly return?

My other immediate reaction to the Bateman news is whether it will have any impact on the thinking of Nico Collins?

I understand preparing for the draft and sitting out, but in the last week, Bateman and Rondale Moore, another highly-touted prospect, have both opted back in, so will Collins draft stock really be helped by sitting out, while other top players produce on the field?

With his size, speed and raw talent, Collins is going to be a fairly early draft pick no matter what. I don’t think there’s any chance he lasts longer than the third round.

At the same time though, he’s barely scratched the surface of what he can do at Michigan. In his three-year career, he’s had four games with five catches or more and just four games with more than 80 yards receiving.

Last season at Indiana was the only time in Collins’ career that he eclipsed the 100-yard mark. He has caught multiple touchdowns on three occasions, yet he still has plenty to prove.

Now that all 10 major conferences are playing and many top NFL prospects are back too, it seems like it would make sense for his draft stock to return.

Obviously, Collins coming back would be a great help for Michigan football too and that’s why it seems like it’s in his best interest to return.