Collie has made his All-American case

Austin Collie pushed himself to be the best receiver in the country.

Did he make it?

Let's say he's in the arena and should be on the stage. The question is, can this guy who was a freshman All-American in 2004 receive similar national honors this month, more than four years after first appearing on the college scene in Provo?

The drive has been there. So have the numbers. Now it's time for the rewards, like Wednesday's All-MWC team that featured UNLV's Ryan Wolfe, Utah's Freddie Brown and Collie as the league's best under an airborne football.

Whether or not Collie returns for his senior season is yet to be determined. But Collie's persona is legend and will be the measuring stick for future pass-catchers in the region.

The BYU junior nearly wore out the arm of Max Hall this summer, begging for evening throwing sessions that often ended with Hall subbing in a JUGS machine to rifle shots at Collie.

There was the day Collie came to QB coach Brandon Doman and said he had a desire to be the best receiver in the country.

"I know you do," Doman said. "I told him he needed to be the best in the conference first."

Done.

After rewriting the BYU and MWC conference receiving records, Collie could be considered one of the nation's best at that position, even if he and teammate Dennis Pitta failed to make the finals for their respective Fred Biletnikoff and John Mackey awards, which were dominated by Big 12 receivers.

Doman, who threw passes to Margin Hooks and Reno Mahe, two of BYU's best, said Collie is in a class of his own.

"I can't say enough about those two guys, but I don't think either of those guys would argue that Austin is the best receiver this school has ever had," Doman said. "Go back over the years and look at what he's been able to accomplish. He's had a real moxie to him. He's extremely strong in the weight room, and he has size and speed. Couple that with his work ethic and he's got it all.

"He has to be strong enough to shake (defensive backs) off and make the plays he does. It's kind of interesting to see opposing coaches talk to officials before games, telling them to watch Austin's hands and pushing off. But in reality, the defenders are hanging on to him for dear life and he's fighting them off of him. That says a lot about how strong he is."

Statistically, Collie's record speaks for itself.

Of the Biletnikoff Award finalists — Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech; Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State; and Jeremy Maclin, Missouri — Collie either leads them or is razor close in every NCAA receiving category.

In total catches, Collie leads the way (95), followed by Crabtree (93), Maclin (88) and Bryant (74).