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Nico Collins did not play during the 2020 collegiate season for Michigan, nor did he play during the Reese’s Senior Bowl game in Mobile, Ala. But astonishing workouts at Senior Bowl week followed by an impressing Pro Day caught the attention of the Houston Texans.
The Texans spoke to Collins a few times over Zoom during the Senior Bowl in January. And on Friday, Houston traded up to select Collins after they obtained the 89th overall pick from the Carolina Panthers during Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft.
“I think that week was very important to me because I opted out of the 2020 season and I feel like that was my opportunity to showcase what I’d been working on during the offseason,” Collins said. “I felt like that whole week, that’s what I did. Hopefully, and I grabbed the attention from the Houston Texans and they got me.”
Nico Collins will add great value to the Texans' receiving core. Lots of potential here in Collins. pic.twitter.com/DiulcVoMeW
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) May 1, 2021
After his final college game on Jan. 1, 2020, Collins said he spend the past year working on the intangibles that will make him an overall better receiver. The attributes Collins said he worked on were his releases at the line of scrimmage and creating separation between him and his defenders.
In his final game with the Michigan Wolverines, Collins recorded 48 yards on four catches in a 35-16 Citrus Bowl loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Collins did not play during his final year of eligibility after opting out of the season due to COVID concerns. The 6-foot-4 receiver appeared in 29 games (22 starts) for the Wolverines, where he recorded 1,388 yards and 19 touchdowns on 78 receptions.
“This is the call that I’ve been waiting on my entire life,” he said. “I’m speechless right now. Emotions are running high. I’m just excited to come to the Texans and be a Houston Texan.”