Collie a pleasant surprise for Colts

Big plays continue to be routine work for Austin Collie who is now employed as a slot receiver for the Indianapolis Colts.

And it doesn't surprise those who know him back in Provo.

Supreme confidence, decisiveness, deceptive quickness, sticky hands and work ethic second to none — they all seem to fall in line for Collie in the NFL, if his last two games are any indication.

"I can't be any more proud of Austin, to be in that offense, the best in the NFL right now," said BYU quarterback Max Hall. "He's not just a rookie who comes in once in a while, he's a guy who is playing, a guy Peyton Manning is looking for."

Collie, a fourth-round pick by the Colts, was the 17th receiver taken in last April's NFL draft. But even after being off last weekend, he remains among the top rookie receivers in the league after three touchdown catches the past two games.

Collie has caught 20 catches for 228 yards and three TDs heading into the Colts' next game against the St. Louis Rams. That compares favorably with first round picks Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin (13 for 193, 2 TDs), Viking Percy Harvin (20 for 243, 2 TDs) and Hakeem Nicks for the Giants (12 for 235, 3 TDs).

For Collie, the biggest difference between college and the NFL is knowledge.

"It's just the amount of information, the blitzes, the protections, the plays, it's just crazy," Collie said in an interview with Colts.com reporter Jeffery Gorman.

It helps, said Collie, to have the best QB on the planet throwing to him. Manning entered the season with a new head coach and rookie receivers Collie and Pierre Garcon. In five weeks, he's made opposing defenses fear the rookies.

"He's phenomenal," Collie said of Manning. "It's a treat to go out there just to pick his brain."

It is evident Manning sees something in the rookie from BYU. He saw it the summer before Collie's junior year when he led the nation in receiving. The bond started during Manning's summer passing camp, which Collie attended. When draft time came around, Collie was the first receiver the Colts took.

Indianapolis president Bill Polian made that clear on draft day when he told reporters: "If you think Brandon Stokley, that's (Collie's) style. Let's hope he turns out to be as good (as Stokley). He has good hands, (runs) great routes and is a good slot recover, a very good runner after the catch. He has kickoff return ability as well."

Stokley is considered one of the best slot receivers to play in the NFL.

In the past two games, Collie has had 14 receptions for 162 yards and three touchdowns. What that signals to trained observers, is Manning trusts Collie.