2017 4* WR Nico Collins declares Michigan the leader

Class of 2017 four-star wide receiver Nico Collins has deemed Michigan the leader in his recruitment, as reported by Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.

"They've always been the leader," Collins said after the first Elite 11 practice at Nike Headquarters. "They've always been up there from the first two times I went. Everything about Michigan. The coaching staff, it's a tradition-type school and just the vibe of the coaches, it's good."

Collins has offers from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Auburn, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami (FL), Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech.

"Just hanging out with them (at U-M), having a conversation with my parents and them saying they really loved it and I really loved it," Collins said. "So they're kind of up there with Alabama and Georgia."

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound receiver has been recruited by Tyrone Wheatley and Jedd Fisch. By going to a quarterback focused Elite 11 event, Collins has been getting a fell for different quarterbacks around the nation. One of those quarterbacks being Michigan commit Dylan McCaffrey, who is the No. 1 overall pro-style signal caller in the 2017 class.

"He's on my team (for The Opening), so we're getting a feel for each other and I'm seeing how he throws the ball and he's seeing how I run routes, when he needs to throw it on my breaks and everything," Collins said. "That plays a big role."

McCaffrey will get to know Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones, who is a 2017 five-star wide receiver from Cass Technical in Detroit, Michigan.

"A big part of college football is you're going to be spending all four years with the guys you're going with and once people start to realize that, it's really the relationships that will get you going where (you are)," McCaffrey said. "A big part of it is hanging out, getting to know all the guys so I think that's another huge part of the recruiting atmosphere."

Collins is the 76th overall player in his class, according to 247Sports. He is the No. 13 wide receiver and the top player in the state of Alabama.