Michigan Football missing Nico Collins, Ambry Thomas in worst way
Looking back, it appears that Michigan football is missing Nico Collins and Ambry Thomas much more than expected.
Going into the season, we knew that not having Nico Collins and Ambry Thomas was going to hurt Michigan football. It just doesn’t seem that we knew just how much.
But now after three games, it’s apparent that the Wolverines are missing both Collins and Thomas badly as they struggle to defend the pass and complete balls downfield on offense.
Both players originally opted out when the Big Ten looked like it would play a spring football schedule. Yet, when the league restarted in the fall, Thomas declined to play due to health reasons and Collins decided to continue with his pre-draft work.
Collins and Thomas will each get selected in the 2021 NFL draft, although it’s hard to see how sitting out won’t hurt their stock some, but it’s plain to see how much their presence is missed.
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Without Collins, the receiving core doesn’t have a true No. 1 option. Ronnie Bell is a really nice player, but he’s better in the slot than trying to be the best receiver on the team.
Bell has created some explosive plays and so have others such as Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson, even A.J. Henning. However, others such as Giles Jackson have been huge disappointments and right now, this group of receivers has no one you could confidently call a “Dude.”
Michigan has a quarterback in Joe Milton who can stretch the field with his arm as well as anyone in college football. But you need receivers to get open and there just isn’t enough separation or anyone who has proven they can win the 50/50 jump balls.
It seemed like U-M was trying to make Erick All a focal point of the offense, giving him high praise and lots of opportunities, but the drops have shunted his growth.
You need impact players and offensively, Michigan is really lacking those and the loss of Nico Collins has only made it stand out even more.
Thomas would be a life-saver at CB
As much as Collins’ presence on the roster would change things, no one would probably be important, given the current struggles right now than Thomas.
The 6-foot corner is likely going to be a mid-round draft choice but his speed and cover skills are sorely missed right now as Michigan is giving up 287 yards passing per game, including over 300 yards in back-to-back weeks.
Thomas was essentially the Wolverines top cover guy a year ago and if he were on the roster, managing the poor play of Vincent Gray and others would be easier.
If Thomas was playing, Gray or Gemon Green could be the second corner and the other the third or a freshman like Andre Seldon, who actually does seem like a “Dude” could get a chance in the slot, things would be much better.
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Regardless of how you look at it, Michigan’s talent was overestimated and while U-M does have skilled players, it didn’t have enough to compensate for the loss of Collins and Thomas.