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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Canadian Coug | 12:39 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I can understand why he is going. Look at Luke Staley, bad injury and that was that. There is a spot on the Calgary Stampeders roster if he doesn't make the NFL. Ben Cahoon has made a career in Canada. BYU can find good receivers if they need to. Wasn't Jeff Frandsen (early 90s at BYU) a walk on and he was awesome. I hope BYU doesn't come up with some bad PR slogan for next year, but rather call better plays and hope Max Hall can throw. I am glad that the Utes spanked Alabama and I am a BYU fan. Let's get a TV contract with ESPN and get some national coverage for our team and league. I hope Collie makes the 49ers so we have a reason to watch them again.

Wrong Thing | 12:45 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

By choosing to play on Sunday, I question Austin's faith. Playing on Sunday is the wrong thing to do on and off the field. The Lord will certainly not step in and provide magic during Austin's career.

If Austin if going to question the faith of Ute players, coaches, and fans, it is legit to questions his faith, isn't it?

Questioning the faith of others (Collie) vs expressing your own faith (Tebow) are just a bit different.

TrueCoug | 12:47 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie has made the right choice. Leave while his stock is high and/or peaking. If he had stayed his stock will plummet with Jacobsen stealing part of his limelight in 2009. Bronco, Anae, Hall and gang- please let's have some changes and different looks and plays in 2009.

By the way, BYU has never been known for WR's in the NFL as poster "Provo" said; I think he meant "quarterback"....

Comments continue below

Ute Fan | 12:50 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Typical Collie...only thinking about himself and not the team. Good luck being a nobody in the NFL.

come and go | 12:52 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

They come and they go..they will in every sport,in every job and in life...that is just reality for all of us. We might believe there will never be an another Collie but he will be for gotten when spring ball starts..and I agree, Hall needs to make sure he has confidence in other people when throwing the ball..hopefully he saw something last night in the two quarter back...throw to who is open...not your best friend..

$$$$$$ | 12:55 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

He is not any different than anyone else. "Show me the money." The days of doing things for higher ideals like; education, loyalty to team, and loyalty to school and coaches are history. Long live the God of the almighy dollar.

Family First | 12:55 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Doesn't Bronco tell his players to put family ahead of football?

Collie is doing the right thing for his family and I wish him well.

True BYU Fan | 12:57 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

We will miss you Collie. Wish we could have had you for one more year, but you are by far the best athlete on BYU's team. Good luck in the NFL!

SkyUte | 1:00 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Good luck to Austin Collie. I must admit I won't miss seeing him line up against Utah. BYU needs to go ahead and have a good cry, and then man up to represent the MWC well against OK next year.

From a Ute | 1:00 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I concurred to all my Y friends that between our two teams, Collie might be the best player. I'm not sad to see him go, but I respect him as a player. Any team wants and needs guys like that on their side.

Re: Bad Choice | 1:16 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I love how the emotions of people on this board, who've never even met Austin Collie, determine whether or not this is a good choice for Austin Collie. What you should write is what you actually feel...whether or not it's a good decision for you as a fan. As a Ute fan, I'm glad he's gone. For BYU fans, I'm sure they're sad he's gone for the same reasons I'm glad he's leaving. But to sit behind your screen and say whether or not it's a good decision for him is silly. What do you know about his life? His choice is his choice. I think he'll do well in the NFL. He's a talented player. Good luck to him.

Good Luck! | 1:15 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I wish Collie well, although like any sensible BYU fan, I am sad to see him go. He's been fun to watch!

Good luck Collie! | 1:14 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Way to go Collie! We'll miss you at BYU home games next year, but you are probably going at the right time. Momentum is on your side, and you'll probably get drafted higher based on the year you had.

Good luck to you, and God speed!

Jealousy | 1:18 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

How many students would turn down a job offer that paid over a million dollars next year if it meant having to prolong the time it would take to complete their education?

How many bloggers would be "loyal" to their current employer if another employer offered them 10 or 20 times what they were currently making?

Nobody knows the future, but coming back for his senior year could be the costliest mistake of Collie's life.

--One spring drill...
--One hit in fall practice...
--One play in BYU's first game...

could end Austin's dream of playing in the NFL.

Staying at BYU or going to the NFL is a decision that only Austin and his wife and his family can make.

Every true Cougar fan should be thankful for Collie's contribution to BYU football and should be wishing Austin great success at the next level.

Those who are bitter or complain about him leaving are simply demonstrating their own petty selfishness and jealousy.

re: Wrong Thing | 1:26 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

What a clueless post.

Please don't ever get sick or turn on the lights or flush the toilet or heat your house or unbolt your doors or drive a car or watch television or read a newspaper or listen to the news or have your house catch fire or stay at a hotel or take a flight or watch General Conference...

ON SUNDAY!

because you're forcing other people to work on the Sabbath because the profession they've chosen requires 24x7 service.

Vancouver Ute | 1:40 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

When you do the "right things", like play football on Sunday the other things fall into place.

I would | 1:38 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

turn down millions of dollars to keep Sunday a Holy day. That's what I would do. I'd keep it holy. I wouldn't work on Sunday.

Enough with Luke Staley | 1:41 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Every time a discussion about a BYU athlete leaving early comes up someone has to rip Luke Staley. For those who don't remember - no one had more injuries than Luke Staley. He broke his leg toward the end of his junior season and accepted his award as best running back in the nation on crutches. If he had come back his senior season he would have spent it on the bench recovering from yet another surgery. Hopefully we can all agree that injuries are out of player's control and should not be used to rip on them. A healthy player who can't cut it (John Walsh) - fine. But Luke had several surgeries both in college and Detroit. Leaving early was really his only option. And despite all his injuries - no one was a sweeter rb to watch take the pitch around the end or catch a screen out of the backfield. So unless you are simply an idiot - leave Staley out of these discussions. Also - by the time most Cougars finish their junior year they have been out of hs 5-6 years so let's not rip them for not "keeping their commitments" please!

Hall | 1:45 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Well if Collie is going pro why doenst Hall? He was a Heisman hopeful right? Just be sure he gets drafted by a team that wears red...

re: $$$$$$ | 1:43 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

"loyalty"?

You'd drop everything you're doing in a heartbeat if someone offered you a million dollars to play football.

Fans who begrudge a player for leaving school early to pursue a professional career are idiots.

Don't you understand that having players leave early for pro careers ENHANCES a school's chances of recruiting new players with similar professional sports goals.

Smart coaches understand this.

Bronco and his coaching staff identify players EVERY YEAR who might be thinking of turning pro and meet with them individually to discuss the pros and cons and realist prospects of each individual player.

The only thing a good coach should expect is that each player is open and above board about his plans so the coaching staff can recruit accordingly.

Ultimately, it's up to each player to make that decision based on what's best for him.

6 turnovers | 1:47 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

If my QB gave up 6 turnovers to Utah I'd leave too!

hahaha | 1:48 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie never questioned the faith of Utah's players! wrong thing and all the others who criticized Collie for his faith need to look at Tim Tebow. Are you criticizing him and calling him self righteous too? Did you see the gator chop that he did to the Oklahoma player? Is he arrogant too?

I wish you luck in the NFL next year Collie but I really wish you would have stayed. We would have had a better chance with Oklahoma and Florida State.

What an Idiot!!! See you in mall | 1:49 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie while your selling phones for Verizon with Staley.

Biggest Y hater | 2:11 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I think I am the biggest Y hater. There are a lot of us, but I think I hate them the most. However, Collie is legit! I think he will be terrific in the NFL. Lets just hope he goes somewhere other than Dallas and Denver.

Go Utes
Kruger is still open

so what about Young? | 2:16 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

All this talk about playing on Sunday being a bad thing is getting ridiculous. So that one guy, what was his name, Steve Young i think? Shoundt have played for the 49ers? The LDS church states to keep the sabath day holy. How you do that isnt a cut and dry thing. People have interpreted it to mean to practically do nothing, however the truth of it is something different for each person. If Collie feels he can "keep his sabath holy" and still play, then more power to him. The guy is a great reciever, and as a Ute fan, I am very pleased to see him leave.
Best of luck Collie. Speed isnt your only issue if you ask me though; need to take the ego down a bit. Humility is something everyone needs to learn. When guys like Reed from the Ravens are going to be going up against you every week, you are going to need to keep it humble.

Vegas Ute | 2:13 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Good luck Collie. I hope you do well in the NFL. Who would have thought Steve Smith from the Utes would have been so amazing? Anything can happen. We need a strong Mountain West next year and BYU needs to pummel OU like the Utes destroyed Bama this year. Collie's departure is unfortunate because I wanted BYU to have all weapons in their loss to the U next year.

Server | 2:17 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I use to really like the Cougs (and I still do) but I work at a restaurant that Collie and Hall frequent regularly and have to say that these two are the biggest most arrogant jerks that have ever played for the Y. Being born and raised in Provo I've seen many great BYU stars come through the program Collie included but I still say good riddance to him leaving. He is a total embarrassment to the school and the fans!

Sunday Comments | 2:21 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Every religion has its fanatics. I just wish our's didn't have access to the internet.

Cindy | 2:21 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Good luck, Collie. We love our Cougars! Looking forward to next season!!

Levin | 2:22 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

hahaha, actually people are calling Tim Tebow self-righteous and hypocritical.

Bender Rodriguez | 2:24 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

re: 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.<<

I would think my nom de guerre says it all?

I get it. Do you? For instance, my crack about Matt Bellini.

Pardon me for being like Bob Newhart in a Chris Farley World.

Insert crack related to Bill Murray's bus departure quote in Groundhog Day here.

SoCalTrueBlue | 2:23 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Thank you, Austin Collie. You were a pleasure to watch during your 3 years on the field as BYU's all-time leading receiver. You will be missed, but I'm excited to see what McKay Jacobsen and O'Neil Chambers can do next year. The key to 2009 will be the new offensive line, where we need more quickness, not just size and strength.

TucsonUte | 2:26 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

The kid can play and I will enjoy watching him in the NFL. Collie is smart to take his chance and make some good money while he is young. Good luck to him!!

couga4life | 2:38 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

wow the dumbest move you could ever make. i don't think i will look up to you anymore.

Call in Pitta, Harvey | 2:39 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

First, I have watched Collie play for two seasons now and he is better than any reciever that Utah will ever have.
Second, I will rise above the Utah pride and congradulate them on an amazing season.
Third, Collie was in the top 5 receivers in the nation this past year and he will do great in the NFL.
Best of luck!

I Bleed Blue | 2:43 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I think that all of you who are being disrespectful to not only Collie, but to Max Hall, and the rest of the cougars need to calm down. You all know BYU is a great team. You all know that Collie is a great kid and a fantastic football player. I know Collie is doing what's best for him. Collie is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I guarantee that he did not make this decision without a lot of prayer and fasting. Best of luck to you Collie! I also think you need to realize though, that we will have a killer offense without Collie there. He will be missed, but we still have a fire in our offense. Go Cougars!

If... | 2:47 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

He was living the right way he would be the #1 pick in the draft- to bad! Good luck next year BYU with exactly 0 athletes on your squad.

Cougar | 2:51 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

thanks for the great 3 years and the fact that the Cougars rule. However, I am a little concerned that three months before the NFL combine Austin states " the only question about his future at the NFL level is his speed, which is something he will address in workouts between now and April." Good luck with that. Picking up an additional .2-.3 seconds is a tough thing to do, especially in 3 months. I still can't see him playing "bump and run" coverage with the likes of Al Harris, Charles Woodson, Cromartie, Lucas, Brown, Samuel etc. Those guys are 1) big, 2) strong, and MOST OF ALL 3) FAST, FAST, FAST. By the time he gets away from them, his team will be huddling up for the next play.

Best wishes | 2:54 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Absolutely it is the best decision for him. What more can he achieve in college football. It is unlikely he will achieve the same stats and position next year. He is wise to enter the market at the peak of his stats and performance. He will need to get much tougher (attitude does not mean toughness) and he certainly can improve in some areas but he has the tools to do it and BYU's coaching staff really can't take him any farther. Wish you the best, sir. Thanks for the memories.

Anon. | 2:58 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie is a great player and I promise you he will make a team i some capacity. Spec. Teams, Inside slot WR - He has the skills and route running ability

He's | 3:03 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Definately no Kevin Curtis!!!!

More diverse offense? | 3:12 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

While I like Collie's good hands and ability to separate from defenders, Max Hall was way too predictable in focusing on Collie to the exclusion of Pitta, Reed, Unga and others. I sometimes felt like Hall was fulfilling some kind of quota set by Anae in passing to Collie (see 07 Tulsa game). The Y's offense will never be great until it forces defenses to respect the running game and multiple receivers (what happened to BYU passing to its running backs?). Collie's early departure is a step in the right direction in making BYU's offense less predictable.

Ernest T. Bass | 3:15 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Blessing, even rich blessings are in store for Austin.

Roger Reid in a football uniform | 3:18 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie was just a Roger Reid in a football uniform. His comments were self-righteous and senseless. I can only compare them to Roger Reid's on Chris Burgess. I'll never forget in 2004 when Collie said BYU would beat the Utes "because Rocky Long told him they are not that good." Well, we saw how that panned out, 52-21 for Utah. The "magic happens" comment shows his true character of a self righteous idiot. Glad to see him gone, but I am sure there is another one in the making down there

Ute for Collie | 3:23 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

As a Ute fan, I must say Collie was the man! I wonder if Hall will look nearly as good without him.

How does the Y justify training people for a career where they work mainly on Sundays?

BlueKat | 3:26 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

wow,no Collie and now the talk is that Manti Teo is taking a real hard look at the utes after the Sugar Bowl win. please say it ain't so!

Anonymous | 3:30 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie was a great guy and he was fun to watch. I expected this decision but I hoped he would stay. I hope he does well playing on Sundays. He is the greatest BYU receiver ever. Hopefully Jacobson is as good as everyone says he is. I was on my mission so i've never seen him play.

Congrats Utes, you deserve it. I wish you had a chance to play for the national championship, even though I can't stand your guts

Congrats | 3:30 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

He has moves. I love Utah but he has moves. He knows how to use his upper body as good as the Pros. He is a good kid and will do fine. I hope he has a good combine. He will show it on the field. Good luck and Magic will happen. Go Utes

Provo Joe | 3:34 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Collie will do nothing in the NFL, he probably won't get drafted. The WR pool in this draft is so deep with Crabtree from TTech, Dez Bryant from OKState, Harvin from Florida, Maclin from Mizzou, Jarrett Dillard from Rice. Collie is too slow, and he won't be able to push off in the NFL. Oh what could have been with Collie, Pitta, Jacobson, Chambers, Unga, Tonga, George.

re;bad choice | 3:47 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

no mtn west team will ever be crowned champ under the current system, just look at utah

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