Why Nico Collins should opt back in for Michigan footballl

Nico Collins is still undecided about whether or not he wants to play for Michigan football in 2020. Here’s why he should.

Michigan football fans are counting down the days to the 2020 season opener at Minnesota and now, we are just 15 from the Wolverines being back.

But one thing we still don’t know is whether or not Nico Collins will be with the Michigan football team when it takes the field against the Golden Gophers.

After opting out, it doesn’t seem likely that Collins would rejoin the team at this point, but Mike Sainristil told Wolverines Wire on Thursday, Collins was still “unsure.”

"“I had texted him once,” Sainristil said. “I asked him if the rule of opting back in changes anything for him. He was still unsure. But, regardless of whatever he does, I wish him well. Nico’s a really good guy.”"

For starters, we should all wish Nico well, whatever he decides. And maybe he doesn’t think it’s all that safe to play right now. I can certainly respect that and others should as well.

The kid has every right to chose what best for his future and he shouldn’t worry abut what a bunch of Michigan football fans think. However, there’s no doubt we would love him back.

And so would quarterback Joe Milton who has a ton of weapons, but might be missing that big jump-ball target, although Cornelius Johnson and Erick All are in the mix.

However, if Collins really wants to do what’s best for his NFL future, he should return and play in the 2020 season for the Wolverines.

Why Nico should return to Michigan football

Looking at Collins’ career with the Wolverines, there is much to be desired from a production standpoint. In three years, he has caught 78 passes 1,388 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Those aren’t bad numbers but they don’t jump out at you. Certainly, quarterback struggles were part of that, which is another reason Collins should return, because Milton sound like he will be an upgrade over Shea Patterson.

Collins also wouldn’t have to compete with Donovan Peoples-Jones for the No. 1 receiver spot. He would be the top option, especially down the field and if he wants to be a first-round pick, he needs to come back and show he can consistently dominate.

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Right now, he’s got just six career games with four receptions or more to his credit and just one time in his Michigan career did he go over 100 yards receiving.

Nico does have the NFL body and even if he doesn’t play this year, he has the potential that he would likely go in the first three rounds.

But if he thinks he’s going to go the NFL combine, blow scouts away and find himself in the first round, he’s got another thing coming. Peoples-Jones was great the combine and his college production was similar and he went in the fifth round.

Plus, other top-flight receivers, just in the Big Ten such as Rondale Moore and Rashod Batemen returned, along with O-lineman Jalen Mayfield and defensive back Shaun Wade at Ohio State.

The idea of training and prepping for the combine makes sense, but other receivers will catch the attention of NFL scouts and with only four games of 80-plus yards in his career, I have a really hard time seeing teams take a flier on Collins in the first round.

So if he really wants to improve his draft stock, he should come back to the Wolverines and play like a No. 1 receiver. That will do more than any workout ever will.