Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight

Parents’ names: Kevin Collins, Margie Collins
Siblings: Jack Collins
Position or events: I am a running back for football and CF for baseball.
Instagram: @christiancollins_22
X (formerly Twitter): @ChristianC2025

Career Highlight: Winning a State Title and tying the Camp Randall record for rushing yards in one game (408). Also breaking multiple State championship records, as well as becoming the 5th best rusher in WI history.

At what age did you start playing your main sport?
I started playing football in sixth grade, but I started as a wide receiver and did not switch positions until freshman year.

Who introduced you to the sport?
My dad did. He played through college.

Has this always been your favorite sport?
Baseball used to be my favorite sport up until freshman year. Being a running back changed my view on football.

How has balancing academics and athletics been different for you from your freshman year to your senior year?
Balancing academics hasn’t been a struggle. Freshman year was good, then sophomore and junior year picked up a little bit and now senior year is easy. Overall, academics and athletics at NDA are amazing. I feel like I am prepared for college 100%.

What is your favorite part about this sport? What about it has caused you to stick with it for this long?

I think the brotherhood and the friendships that are created while playing football. These friendships will last a lifetime. I also think I stuck with it because of the grind. I love to work hard and try to be the best. I am extremely competitive.

As a teammate, how do you help the others around you in your sport?
I love to help others. Making someone better and seeing them improve is the best feeling. I always stop someone if the drill is not done right and make sure that they understand what went wrong and to see them improve. I like to work the little kid camps we host at NDA. I remember being that little and trying to be the best and always looking for ways to improve, so I try to be the person that guides them.

What has been your most memorable experience in high school sports so far?
Absolutely winning the State Title game. That was the best moment of my life thus far. Just the 2024 football season in general was a dream come true.

How have you grown both athletically and academically throughout your high school career?
I feel that NDA has prepared me very well for college, which is amazing. The NDA athletics program has developed me, not only as an athlete, but a man. NDA football isn’t narrowly focused on football, they focus on developing us both on and off the field. “Faith, family, fundamentals, football,” is something we say every day on the field.

Do you take any extra steps to prepare for a big match/game/meet, outside of regular practices?
I take every game as seriously as the next. Every game I make sure that I have every play down. I try and envision every block and cut.

Is there anyone (coach, teammate, family, professional) that you look up to or that motivates you?

I look up to my father. He was an exceptional athlete and exceptional student. He played football and baseball at USC and was on full academic scholarship. He is someone I definitely look up to as a role model. I try to emulate his work ethic.

Outside of sports, do you have any other hobbies or extracurricular activities you enjoy?
I like to do anything that involves sports. Like, pick up tennis, basketball, pickleball and hockey for sure. I’m a big snowboarder as well.

Favorite pump up song?
“Again,” by Fetty Wap.

Do you have a favorite food/drink before a game?
My brother and I chose the place to go every year and kept it the same every game. Senior year was Chic-Fil-A, junior year was Subway, and I forgot what I had during my freshman and sophomore year.

As you enter another step of your life, how would you like to be remembered as you leave high school?
I want to be remembered as one of the best rushers to ever come out of WI. I want to be remembered as a humble guy who knew how to run the ball.

Future Plans? (college, major, career, etc.)

I am going to play football and study business at the University of Northern Iowa. D1 FCS program.