BYU football: Collie, Vakapuna grabbed in draft

When Austin Collie announced in January that he was forgoing his senior season at BYU to enter the National Football League draft, he said he was eager to take on a new challenge.

That new challenge became clearer Sunday, when BYU's all-time receiving leader was drafted in the fourth round (No. 127 overall) by the Indianapolis Colts — a franchise that won the Super Bowl in 2007 and is quarterbacked by NFL superstar Peyton Manning.

For Collie, going from BYU-blue to Indianapolis Colt-blue seems like the ideal situation.

"I couldn't be happier. It's the best scenario. It couldn't have gone any better," said Collie, who spent Sunday at his parents' home in El Dorado Hills, Calif. "It was what I was hoping for, in a nutshell. I was expecting, and hoping, to go in the fourth round. Anything before that would have been a blessing. Honestly, of all the teams that had been looking at me and talking to me, the Colts were No. 1. I definitely like the organization. And it doesn't hurt having one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history throwing you the ball."

After he was drafted, Collie talked to Colt head coach Jim Caldwell and team president Bill Polian. Collie, the 19th receiver drafted overall, leaves Thursday for Indianapolis, where he'll take part in mini-camp.

"I'm excited to play under coach Caldwell and the rest of the Colts organization," Collie said.

He added that the Colts' offense fits his style of play, noting the success of second-year Indianapolis receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who caught 37 passes for 576 yards as a rookie, then hauled in 57 receptions for 664 yards last season.

"Just watching Anthony Gonzalez go there and the way he's made an impact at the wide receiver spot gives me some hope that I can hopefully do the same thing. It's going to give me a great opportunity to showcase my skills and hopefully be able to contribute to the team. The offense is designed to my skill set. I can't wait to get out there and show it off."

Collie, who led the nation in receiving yards last season (1,538), is expected to help fill the void left by longtime Colt receiver Marvin Harrison, who was released in February.

One other BYU product was drafted — running back Fui Vakapuna, who was picked by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round (No. 215 overall). Vakapuna is expected to fill a need at fullback in Cincinnati, where he'll be reunited with former BYU teammate Daniel Coats, who has been with the Bengals since 2007.