Nico Collins Bio
Dominique Stephon Collins (born March 19, 1999) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed Nico, he has emerged as one of the league’s most productive receivers since being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Collins has earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2024 and 2025, establishing himself as a cornerstone piece of Houston’s offensive arsenal.
Early Life and Background
Collins was born and raised in Pinson, Alabama, the youngest of three children. His father, Don Collins, is originally from Michigan and worked as a surgical tech, while his mother was employed in human resources. Collins grew up playing AAU basketball alongside his football career, which helped develop the athleticism and coordination that would later define his receiving abilities.
Collins attended Clay-Chalkville High School in Clay, Alabama, where he played wide receiver for the football team. He was a key contributor on an undefeated squad that captured the 2014 Class 6A state championship. As a junior, Collins recorded 60 receptions for 1,103 yards and 16 touchdowns, showcasing his big-play potential. During his senior season, he accumulated 43 receptions for 865 yards and 9 touchdowns despite facing increased defensive attention.
Path to the NFL
Collins was a highly regarded recruiting prospect, drawing interest from major college programs including Georgia and Alabama. In February 2017, he committed to play football at the University of Michigan, choosing the Wolverines over his other finalists. His decision to join Michigan’s program proved instrumental in his development as a professional receiver.
At Michigan, Collins refined his craft under college competition, learning to play alongside talented receivers like Donovan Peoples-Jones. His progression through the Wolverines program built the foundation for his eventual transition to the NFL, providing him experience against Big Ten opponents and high-level competition on a weekly basis.
Nico Collins Career
College Career (2017–2020)
Collins enrolled at the University of Michigan in 2017 and made his first collegiate reception on October 12, 2017, a 12-yard pass against Rutgers. As a true freshman, he appeared in just two games, recording three receptions for 27 yards while adapting to the college level.
His sophomore season in 2018 marked his breakout, as Collins earned the team’s Most Improved Offensive Player award. He finished the year with 38 receptions for 632 yards and six touchdowns, demonstrating significant growth in his game. A standout performance came against Ohio State, where he recorded four catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns in a signature Big Ten matchup.
In 2019, Collins continued his development with a career-best performance against Indiana, accumulating 165 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Despite playing in a crowded receiving room that included Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tarik Black, and Ronnie Bell, Collins finished second on the team in receiving yards with 729 on 37 receptions and seven touchdowns. He completed his Michigan career having appeared in 29 games across four seasons.
Rookie Season with Houston Texans (2021)
The Houston Texans selected Collins with the 89th overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He officially signed his rookie contract on May 12, 2021. Heading into his first training camp, Collins was immediately listed as a starting wide receiver alongside veterans Brandin Cooks and Chris Conley, a testament to the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities.
Collins made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording one reception for seven yards in the Texans’ victory. He started Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns but suffered a shoulder injury early in the game and was placed on injured reserve on September 21. He returned to action in Week 6 and continued building experience throughout the season.
His first career touchdown came in Week 16 during a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Collins finished his rookie campaign appearing in 14 games with 8 starts, recording 33 receptions for 446 yards and one touchdown while playing approximately half of the team’s offensive snaps.
Establishing His Role (2022)
Entering his second professional season, Collins assumed the No. 2 receiver role behind Brandin Cooks in Houston’s offense. The Texans relied on his developing chemistry with the quarterbacks and his ability to make contested catches. However, the season was cut short when Collins suffered a foot injury and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 23.
Despite the injury, Collins demonstrated improvement with 37 receptions for 481 yards and two touchdowns across ten games, including seven starts. The abbreviated season highlighted his potential whileunderscoring the need for durability as he continued his career.
2023 Season: Breakout Year
The 2023 season marked Collins’ emergence as a premier NFL receiver. He began the year with back-to-back standout performances, recording 146 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2, followed by a career day against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4 with seven receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Collins continued his dominant stretch in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, setting new single-game career highs with nine receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown in a 22-17 Texans victory. His most memorable performance came in the regular-season finale against the Colts in a win-or-go-home scenario. Collins caught all nine of his targets for a career-high 195 receiving yards, including a career-long 75-yard touchdown reception, as Houston clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2019.
For the season, Collins appeared in 15 games with ten starts, recording 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished eighth in the league in receiving yards and tied for fourth in receptions of 20 or more yards. In the Wild Card Round against the Cleveland Browns, he added a receiving touchdown in the Texans’ 45-14 victory.
Pro Bowl Seasons (2024–2025)
On May 29, 2024, Collins was rewarded for his breakout season with a three-year contract extension worth up to $75 million, with $52 million guaranteed. The deal made him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league and signaled Houston’s commitment to building their offense around him.
Despite missing time with injuries, Collins was named to his first Pro Bowl after the 2024 season. He led the league with 567 receiving yards before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills, which landed him on injured reserve. Upon returning in Week 13, he immediately contributed with eight receptions for 119 yards against Jacksonville. He finished 2024 with 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games played.
Collins earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2025. He started 15 games, recording 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. His contributions helped the Texans advance to the playoffs, where he caught seven passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in the Wild Card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Collins missed the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots due to a concussion suffered in the Wild Card game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Collins possesses the rare combination of size, speed, and body control that makes him a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators. His 6-foot-4 frame allows him to win contested catches and dominate in jump-ball situations, while his soft hands and reliable catching radius give quarterbacks a large target. He excels at high-pointing passes and uses his length to extend plays beyond the catch point.
Notable Events and Milestones
Collins’ career has been defined by several memorable moments. His 75-yard touchdown reception to clinch the Texans’ 2023 playoff berth stands as one of the defining plays of Houston’s recent resurgence. His 2023 season, where he finished eighth in the league in receiving yards, announced his arrival among the NFL’s elite receivers. He was ranked 32nd by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025, reflecting the respect he has earned across the league.
Nico Collins Career Wins
Collins has established himself as one of the most productive receivers in the NFL over his first five seasons with the Houston Texans. His career totals reflect consistency, big-play ability, and durability despite dealing with injuries at various points in his career.
Houston Texans Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Collins has recorded 289 career receptions for 4,347 yards and 24 touchdowns across five seasons with the Texans. His career receiving average stands at 15.0 yards per reception, demonstrating his deep-threat capability. The 2023 season remains his most prolific, as he accumulated 1,297 receiving yards and eight touchdowns while helping Houston return to the playoffs.
His playoff career includes multiple standout performances, including his Wild Card Round contributions in both 2023 and 2024 seasons. Collins has proven capable of elevating his game in crucial moments, particularly in must-win situations during the regular season’s final weeks.
Other Achievements
Beyond his receiving statistics, Collins’ greatest accomplishment may be his transformation from third-round draft pick to two-time Pro Bowl selection. His $75 million extension in 2024 recognized his value to the franchise and cemented his status as a foundational player for Houston’s future.
| Season | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33 | 446 | 1 |
| 2022 | 37 | 481 | 2 |
| 2023 | 80 | 1,297 | 8 |
| 2024 | 68 | 1,006 | 7 |
| 2025 | 71 | 1,117 | 6 |
Nico Collins Family
Family Background
Collins was born in Pinson, Alabama, to Don and Collins, who both worked in professional fields in the Birmingham area. His father, Don Collins, is originally from Michigan, giving the family ties to the Great Lakes state that influenced Nico’s college decision. His paternal grandparents reside near Buffalo, New York. Collins was the youngest of three siblings in his household.
Personal Life
Collins remains closely connected to his Alabama roots while building his professional career in Houston. He maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Twitter and Instagram accounts. His journey from Clay-Chalkville High School to becoming a cornerstone of the Texans’ offense reflects his dedication to the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Collins continue his status as Houston’s premier receiving threat. He started 15 games, accumulating 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. His consistency as a receiving option kept the Texans competitive throughout the campaign, as he and the Houston offense gelled under the team’s offensive system.
Collins’ season reached its peak in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he recorded seven receptions for 136 yards in a 36-29 Texans victory. His ability to produce regardless of defensive game plans reinforced his reputation as a reliable No. 1 receiver capable of carrying the passing attack.
The Texans’ playoff run ended prematurely when Collins suffered a concussion during the Wild Card Round victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. His absence was felt in the Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots, who advanced to Super Bowl LX. Despite the disappointing ending, Collins’ continued production and leadership solidified his place in Houston’s long-term plans as the team looks to build upon its recent playoff appearances.