Deseret News | BYU football: Collie's next route: the NFL

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BYU football: Collie's next route: the NFL

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Dang it!!! | 8:42 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Now all that remains is for Manti Teo to commit to USC, and then I can officially put an end to the most frustrating 10-3 season ever.

Re.: BYU is done @ 1:40am | 8:43 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

That was good! ... Ha Ha Ha!

Collie will be missed, & I don't just mean by the passes!

Shecky | 8:48 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Oh...finally I'll be able to sleep knowing that Mr. Collie has made a decision. Hope he makes a ton of money. Other than that, who cares?

Comments continue below

Variety | 8:51 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Call me crazy but I think this will actually improve our offense a bit. Through being forced to look to throw to somebody besides Collie, Hall will become more unpredictable...hopefully.

Zelph, the Sport Guru | 8:57 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie is making the right decision. The only reason you go to college is to put oneself in a position to earn a decent living. Collie is in that position right now.

On sports radio this morning they were talking about how the great receivers at BYU almost all have mediocre careers in the NFL. I can't think of one BYU receiver who had a "stellar" career in the NFL. I can think of several BYU receivers who had mediocre careers. I wonder why that is? Well, I'm rambling.

I bid thee adieu

I Bleed Blue | 9:00 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I think BYU will greatly miss Collie. I know I will. However, I know Austin is a smart kid and knows what he is doing. I have faith that Coach Mendenhall will be able to make our Cougs nationally ranked without Collie there. Best of luck to you Collie! For those Utah fans who are commenting, don't ever forget, Fourth and eighteen. Go Cougars!

Good luck Austin | 9:04 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

It would have been fun watching you and Jacobson burning DB's next season, but thanks for all the great plays you've given us as Cougar fans.

I see that you've made a whole bunch of 12-year-old Utah fans very happy!

Let them gloat; it'll just make beating the Utes that much sweeter next season.

Good luck in the NFL!

Chris | 9:07 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

First off let me say that I am a die hard BYU fan. Collie is smart to get out now while his stock is high ala Alex Smith! And sadly I have a feeling his career path might be very similar to Alex's...

Bender Rodriguez | 9:10 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

re: Provo | 3:21 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
>>Collie will probably have a Jerry Rice or Cris Carter type of career in the NFL since the Y seems to always produce great WRs for the NFL<<

Yeah. That Matt Bellini tore it up. I'm shocked he's not enshrined in Canton.

I'll be surprised if Austin has 10% the success that Wes Welker let alone Wayne Chrebet had.

I'm no economist but it seems Slow, White WR's are not exactly in demand anywhere.

Combine | 9:16 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Will he even be invited since Crabtree and Maclin will be overwhelmed by media and coaches? Collie...bud.... as a Ute Fan if you cant run a low 4.4 forty, you'll be the next BYU bust. The first, Luke Staley. I will hold interviews for you as a pharmaceutical sales rep in July. GO UTES!

Scott | 9:26 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

This is the worst day of the year. Does anyone know when Spring Ball starts?

Hero of Canton | 9:30 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Well he really has no choice but to go now, his QB is a headcase and won't jam the ball to him as much next year so his numbers would have gone down and when he goes to the NFL he isn't going to get drafted, he is way to slow and doesn't have enough of a skill set to play on a team where he isn't the ONLY wideout to throw to. He will make a few hundred thousand as an undrafted shmuck and then go back to selling whatever pyramid scheme product is the next hot item in scam county, good luck with that.

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuunless...he takes care of business off the field, then maybe Someone will step in and make magic happen on the field...

Fond Farewell. | 9:34 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Good thinking Collie! It's not like you could have done any better next year. You had a great season. Even if you didn't quite finish your quest.

Ute Fan | 9:44 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Wait... doesn't that mean Collie will have to Play on Sundays? He might not have a great career, he won't be living right will he. Well he at-least will not torch the Utes next year. I am happy about that.

Who needs him | 9:44 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

With Jacobson returning, and Chamberlin ready to start we are not losing anything. if anything there are more targets for Hall to throw to. Good luck to him, maybe the Dolphins will pick him up, and he and Beck can sit on the bench together.

abqcoug | 9:48 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Oklahoma, Tulane, Florida State for the first three games of next year? What happened to Bronco's comment durin gthe MSU/BYU game at Energy Solutions about 'watering down the schedule?' Props to BYU ADs and all others who are willing to take on the Giants of football. Props to Pitta, Unga, Jacobsen and all others who see this as a great opportunity. Yewts who comment otherwise to Collie's greatness, seriously, get a life! I hope he's half as good as Steve Smith and can make a name for himself. What he's done as a collegiate football player is outstanding. Good luck Collie, Go Cougs!

Best thing for 2009 | 9:53 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Now Max will HAVE to throw to other recievers.

Cougar Fan | 10:05 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Great college receiver, we will miss him. I doubt he'll go before the fifth round. Speed kills. Good slow receivers only make it big when they are lucky enough to land on a above average team with a speed receiver and quality quarterback.

I'm sad for me but glad for him | 10:08 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

If I were in his shoes I'd do the exact same thing. But as a Y fan I'll miss him. I hope the Cowboys get him in the 4th round. We could use a nice slot reciever like him.

I Bet | 10:16 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Austin Collie has a faster time running the 40 than anyone on these message boards so give him a break

Selling Cell Phones | 10:43 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Is the "money" so important that you put it above a college degree. I know..."I'll finish school, it's in my plans. I definitely want a degree".

With BYU's schedule next year, he would get some national credibility. His stock would go up and he would get more money because he would go higher in the draft. I think I've only found 1 mock that has him going in the first 3 rounds right now.

Money and Degree; that would have been the better choice.

Thanks for the memories Austin. Good luck in the NFL.

ha ha | 10:44 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

your terrible anyways. now BYU will be even worse good lick catching up to Utah

to all ute fans | 10:46 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Its easy to call Collie a bust like some BYU players of old....but how about good ole Alex Smith? He has done awesome too huh????

Ute Fan | 10:51 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I've said it before (several times on this comment board) and I'll say it again -- Collie is a fabulous receiver who might just make it at the next level.

I'll be glad he's gone, frankly, and that is said with not the slightest amount of dis-respect or sarcasm. He's a great player.

Actually, considering that the entire conference needs to elevate it game if the MWC is ever to be taken seriously on a national scale (don't count on it, but we can always hope) we need players like Collie to run routes against Bob Stoops and his guys. So, on second thought, maybe it would have been good for him to stay.

Hopefully | 11:01 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

His career does not go like this:

-4th round draft choice
-3 years as a backup
-Becomes a starter in 4th year
-Plays well, signs free agent deal with another team
-Gets injured, get divorced
-come back with a great year and a couple good years
-Get really fat
-Go coach HS football at some small town in Utah

Arena League | 11:16 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Austin must not know the Arena Football League is not playing its 2009 season. I guess that'll give him time to focus on his "studies".

Bundy | 11:18 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie was the biggest stud on that team. He always came to play. We will miss his leadership as much or more than his talent. Watching Oklahoma last night, I've fairly certain that they are going to blow us out of the water, and losing Collie doesn't help anything. Good luck to him in the NFL. Hopefully he will do better than any offensive BYU player in recent memory.

LawCoug | 11:43 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

It's funny to me to see all these comments on Collie's lack of speed. I don't deny that he's not the fastest guy. I don't deny his clocked 40 times. But somehow, someway, he got behind a lot of defenses this year. I don't know if it was "game-time" speed or some other kind of move that let him beat all those corners--but the fact is that he did get behind every secondary he faced this year (maybe not Utah's, but he still had a 100-yard game against them). Whatever he's got is working, and I wish him the best of luck in the NFL.

no collie = 7-5 byu | 11:42 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

oh no cougies looks like collie's helping the byu slow boys overachieve is over. Good luck making a bowl next year.

can't wait | 11:43 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

to see collie cross the middle and take a hit from an NFL linebacker or safety. He's arrogant and overrated and needs some pain.

Gook luck | 11:52 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

You put the big hurt on many teams in the MWC including the #2 team in the country. We'll miss you.

Re: Ha Ha | 11:52 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Good LUCK learning how to spell. Collie is doing the best thing for him and his family, who of you wouldn't do the same thing? I too would love to see him back, but he has to do whats best for him. So I wish him good luck. Also take it easy on the Ute fans (I am not one) most have been respectable.

Jim | 11:54 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Reading the yewt comments on this board further solidify my opinion that there is no such thing as a yewt fan. Just BYU haters.
Losers! Go pump some gas.

Mike R. | 11:56 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie will join the ranks of those great NFL stars from BYU named John Walsh and Luke Staley (I'd throw Ben Olsen in there but it's too easy). Had either of them completed their commitment to BYU, they might have had NFL Careers. I look forward to seeing Collie as an assistant coach for Timp View next year.

I am getting sick and tired of people "committing" to a school and then leaving early. BYU ought to sue him to get the scholarship money back. Especially if he didn't graduate.

TEBOW | 12:00 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

To the people that cant get over the fact that Collie has convictions and that he wears it on his sleeve " living right" quotes. I dont have a dog in the BYU UTAH fight But, dont disparage him for his beliefs. If you want to get on the Florida websites and call Tebow out because he puts Jesus Christ first and foremost in his life than be consistent. Collie is a tremendous reciever and seems like a great person with a lot of heart. I wish him well.

Collie Stinks | 12:03 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie made the team worse this year. Now Max Hall can learn how to read a defense instead of just look for Collie the whole time with some looks to pitta or unga out of the back field. I am glad he is leaving!!!

Best of Luck | 12:05 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I'm a die hard Ute fan. And I think Collie will be a great receiver in the NFL. If he gets his speed up he could be a Wes Welker type threat eventually.

Good luck Collie

BuzzBurner | 12:06 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie was a great collegiate wideout...he will be a great NFL wideout if given the shot! Take a look at a few different players in the NFL, namely Matt Jones and Dallas Clark, and you'll know that you don't need breakneck speed to be in the NFL. You need to have a great understanding for the game, you need to be consistent, and you need to have a great work ethic. These are three things of which Austin Collie may boast. He's earned it and he'll be great. Go Utes!

To Cougar 4 | 12:07 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Your commments are funny. Have you even read the posts from BYU fans on the Utah articles? Yes, everyone knows who the best team in Utah is...and it isn't BYU.

Good luck to Autin Collie. He has a lot of talent and should have a bright career ahead of him.

ute fan here | 12:14 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I hope the kid does well. However, he will get "humbled" early on if he keeps his ego. The guy has the talent to play at the level, but the games isnt all about your physical atributes. Mentally he will need to change things up. He wont be a superstar, but he'll get some good money being a second or third option for a good QB

What about Pitta? | 12:13 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Pitta is rated as the fourth best tight end by some scouting reports if he decides to enter the draft.

re: bender rodriguez | 12:14 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

dude! your response to "provo 3:21, ... Collie will probably have a Jerry Rice or Cris Carter type of careet....", was a waste of blog time. the "provo 3:21" stuff was SARCASM DUDE!!, you know, when someone is poking fun at something, i don't think you get it.

Wake up and smell the dog food dude, you actually took that "provo" goof-ball seriously! Please don't waste our time in the future responding to stuff you will never understand...... sarcasm, look it up in the dictionary my friend.

Ute Fan | 12:17 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I think Austin is making a good decision. He got some information back about where he might fall in the draft. It's hard to follow-up leading the nation in receiving with anything better. Especially when Max Hall and boys will have an almost entirely new offensive line.

Good luck Austin! Represent the Y and our conference well.

Today | 12:16 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

just got even worse. Go make our school proud on Sundays!!! I love you Austin. Ta ta

danburtreynolds | 12:22 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

RE: word at the water cooler is....

I believe that Roger Goodell has officially said that a rookie cap would not be in place until after 2010. As for your comment that we Ute fans would rather have Collie over any other Ute receiver past or present is ridiculous. Collie is good, but from the current team I will take Freddie Brown (much better hands and a bigger body. Did you see 'Bama try to tackle him?) and David Reed (he is going to be GREAT next year) From previous years, I think Steve Smith and Kevin Dyson were pretty good too.

Best of luck to Collie though. From a football standpoint I don't really care because I think Utah will be better than BYU next year regardless, but from a BYU fan meltdown standpoint, it is priceless.

Re: I BET | 12:31 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I Sure hope so!

signed,
Leuitenant DANN

About Collie | 12:32 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Hopefully this is the right decision for him.
He was an incredible athlete, averaging 15 yards a catch for his CAREER.
He'll definetly be a tough athlete to replace, there is no question about that.
But BYU is loaded at the skill player spots, they'll still do awesome. The whole offense is loaded.
The defense is where there is depth issues. They'll only get better after the hit that they took this year.
For those of you who are ignorant, Collie runs a 4.49, so you can still technically say he runs a 4.4, regardless of that there are few DB's that can cover him one on one, which makes me think he will do well.
He is a fighter, a competitor, and for those of you who say he's arrogant, please spare me the trouble of pulling out all of the arrogant Ute players and coach quotes, the list is to long to download onto this web page.

No Hall of Fame | 12:34 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Best of luck and hopefully you can graduate one day. Otherwise you can turn out to be like Jim McMahon retired from the NFL and wishing he was in BYUs Hall of Fame. Well maybe they will change the rules by then and let you in without having to graduate.

Thanks for helping the cougars program.

Hey, Mike R. | 12:39 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Give it up on the "commitment to the University" stuff. That same university DOES and WILL CONTINUE TO pull scholarships from underperforming athletes. It's the way things are done. Why should a player who can have their scholarship taken away if they're not as good as hoped feel constrained by "honor" if they turn out much better than expected?

Lee | 12:39 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

OK. He'll be the back-up to Matt Cassel playing for the Detroit Lions. Or, maybe the Lions will deal him to Cincinnati,where he'll get equelly killed!

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