Michigan Tech tight end Drew Collins prepares before a play during a game against Ferris State Saturday, Oct. 18, at Kearly Stadium in Houghton. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech Huskies football senior tight end Drew Collins, who served as one of the captains, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the GLIAC’s Jack H. McAvoy Award, which is presented annually to a football player who best combines outstanding character and leadership on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

“There is nobody more deserving than Drew to win this award,” said Huskies coach Dan Mettlach. “Drew has done an incredible job since the day he stepped on campus raising the standard of what it means to be a part of our program. Drew has volunteered with multiple projects in our community on top of leading team Bible studies. He will graduate from Michigan Tech with a degree in sports and fitness management and a masters degree in business administration.”

The award is named for former Hillsdale College director of athletics and football coach, Jack McAvoy, who was instrumental in founding the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC), now known as the GLIAC.

“His (Drew’s) leadership was valued by everyone in our program as he was voted a team captain in 2025 as well as a member of our leadership council for five years,” said Mettlach.

On the gridiron, the Montague, Michigan, native is a two-time All-GLIAC honorable mention, playing in 37 games in his career for the Huskies with 10 touchdowns and 269 all-purpose yards, including a career-high four touchdowns in the 2025 campaign.

Academically, Collins is a three-time GLIAC Academic Excellence team selection, earning a degree in sports and fitness management in the spring of 2025 and will be completing his MBA in the spring of 2026.

Collins becomes the fourth Huskies player to receive this prestigious award and the second player in three years. Defensive lineman Sam Kinne earned the award in 2023, quarterback Alex Kowalski earned the award in 2000, with the first Michigan Tech recipient going to wide receiver Eric Tree in 1997.