Former Alabama high school standout gets $17 million raise in the NFL

The Houston Texans have officially reconfigured the contract for Clay-Chalkville High School product Nico Collins, cementing his status as one of the elite, highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.

A Significant Payday

According to reports from Collins’ agents to ESPN and KPRC-TV on Tuesday, the Texans added $9 million to his 2026 salary and $8 million to his 2027 compensation, while also guaranteeing his 2027 pay.

With this adjustment, Collins is set to pull in $29 million, placing him tied for fifth in total cash among NFL wide receivers for the 2026 season. He is slated to earn $29.8 million in 2027.

This new deal builds upon the three-year extension Collins signed on May 28, 2024, which had previously guaranteed his 2024 and 2025 seasons, with his 2026 salary becoming fully guaranteed this past March.

Rising Star Performance

The former Clay-Chalkville standout has been a dominant force, earning Pro Bowl selections in each of the past two seasons. After being selected by Houston in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Collins recorded 70 receptions for 927 yards and three touchdowns in his first 24 games. His production has surged since, tallying 219 catches for 3,420 yards and 21 scores over his last 42 regular-season appearances.

Collins has also been a reliable postseason weapon, adding 26 receptions, 388 yards, and two touchdowns across five playoff games over the last three seasons.

RELATED: ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOLS’ TOP 10 NFL RECEIVERS

High School Dominance at Clay-Chalkville

Before his NFL success, Collins was a star at Clay-Chalkville, earning Alabama Sports Writers Association first-team All-State honors in 2016 following second-team selections in 2014 and 2015.

His prep career was marked by explosive offensive output. In 2014, the Cougars went undefeated, finishing with a 36-31 victory over Saraland in the AHSAA Class 6A state championship game. During the 2015 season, the program maintained a high-scoring pace until a narrow 31-28 loss to Spanish Fort in the title game.

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