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What a week for Michigan football huh.
After the season was postponed back on August 11th, the Big Ten announced a return on Wednesday last week. With the announcement of the season returning, multiple Big Ten players who opted out of the 2020 season, announced they would be returning back.
Michigan had two players announce that they were opting out to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft and they were starting right tackle Jalen Mayfield and starting cornerback Ambry Thomas.
With the announcement of the season coming back, questions were asked about these two players and if they would return, only to find out that the top wide receiver for Michigan, Nico Collins, was another player that opted-out and signed with an agent, declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft as well.
Since Wednesday one of the three players has announced they would return as Mayfield has decided to return to the team for the 2020 season, and Thomas is looking for clarity about returning this season. Collins, on the other hand, hasn’t announced about what he plans on doing, and with him quietly signing an agent, his return could be a quiet announcement as well.
With all the uncertainty of Collins, it’s best to just imagine right now that he sticks with his word and opts out of the season and focuses on the NFL draft. If he decides to return then this group gets a big upgrade, but if he doesn’t return then how will this core look without him?
The answer: Just fine.
Michigan has a lot of depth at the wide receiver position, so if Collins doesn’t return there are still plenty of weapons for the new starting quarterback Joe Milton.
For starters, the leading receiver Ronnie Bell is back for his junior season and is coming off a season with 48 catches, 758 yards, and a touchdown. He would be the top receiver on the field with Collins gone, and while he isn’t a big body receiver at 6’4, he’s still 6’0 tall and his speed can certainly help him get some space.
Speaking of speed, sophomore Giles Jackson could have a breakout year with more involvement in the offense. Last season, Jackson was primarily a returner and he did well at it with 24 returns for 622 yards and a touchdown. When it came to playing at receiver, he finished with nine catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. His involvement with the speed in space offense offensive coordinator Josh Gattis has installed, he could have a bigger role.
Another receiver that will bring speed is freshman wide receiver, A.J. Henning. Henning was the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Illinois last year and brings another speedy weapon to the offense. While he might have to fight the other receivers to see time on the field, he could still have an impact in a game with just a few touches.
But those young players aren’t the only underclassmen that could step up big. Sophomore Cornelius Johnson brings his 6’3 frame into the fold, coming off a quiet four catch season that finished with 61 yards and a touchdown. He was another freshman last year that saw some playing time but has a chance to see more this year.
Finally, another weapon at the position is Mike Sainristil. Sainristil had a solid spring in 2019, and while it didn’t translate to a starting role for Sainristil, he was still able to finish the season with eight catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Overall, Milton will have plenty of weapons at the wide receiver position even if Collins sticks with his opt-out. Michigan is loaded with talent and with Milton having a strong arm and fast receivers, there could be lots of points put up by this offense.
If Collins does choose to return though, then this group becomes even more dangerous and another big weapon that Gattis would be more than thrilled to have another season with.
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