John Collins, who served as Michigan's assistant director of personnel for the past two seasons, announced his departure to accept a scouting assistant position with the Detroit Lions. The transition marks a notable shift for the coach, who had been instrumental in shaping the Wolverines' recent roster moves.
Collins joined the Michigan staff ahead of the 2024 campaign, which was Sherrone Moore's inaugural year as head coach. His arrival coincided with a recruiting surge that helped the program secure a class widely regarded as one of the strongest in the nation.
A Recruiting Powerhouse
The 2025 recruiting class highlighted by five‑star prospects Bryce Underwood and Andrew Babalola also featured standout talents such as Andrew Marsh, Jordan Young, Shamari Earls and Nate Marshall. Collins played a central role in assembling this group, which many analysts expect to have an immediate impact on the Wolverines' on‑field performance.
Before his Michigan stint, Collins honed his scouting acumen while working for Georgia under head coach Kirby Smart. During his tenure with the Bulldogs, the program enjoyed sustained recruiting excellence and on‑field success, establishing a reputation for developing top talent.
The Lions' decision to bring Collins aboard reflects a strategic aim to infuse the organization with proven evaluative expertise. By leveraging his experience in both collegiate and high‑profile recruiting environments, Detroit hopes to strengthen its talent pipeline and accelerate the rebuild of its defensive schemes.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Collins' background translates into the NFL scouting process. His familiarity with elite prospects and proven ability to identify underrated talent could prove pivotal as the Lions seek to compete more aggressively in the coming seasons.