NFL: Former BYU receiver enjoys stellar start

Every once in a while, Austin Collie stops, takes and look at Peyton Manning, examines his surroundings and reminds himself that he's lucky to be in the position that he's in.

Not that the former BYU great isn't extremely talented and not to say he didn't have every belief that he could perform in the NFL at a high level. But as a fourth-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts, Collie wasn't even a lock to make the team, and if he did, playing time certainly wasn't going to be forthcoming.

Fast forward to now. Not only is Collie a candidate for rookie of the year, not only is he a trusted slot receiver, he's quickly become a security blanket of Manning's and playing for one of the NFL's two unbeaten teams. And as a trusted target of the guy who may become the greatest quarterback of all time, Collie's having more success, and faster, than any Utah player drafted for this season.

"I certainly didn't think I was going to be given so much responsibility so soon," Collie said. "I was hoping to get reps and I was hoping to play a role within the offense. It makes me make an effort to not take things for granted. I realize how blessed I am, and I make sure to remind myself of that every day."

Through half the season, Collie's statistics are undeniable. He's caught 38 passes for 401 yards and four touchdowns. Project that over a full year, and with a few big games Collie could approach 80 catches and 1,000 yards.

More importantly,

he's taken pressure -- a lot of pressure -- off Reggie Wayne, the Colts' top receiver. And that's the unexpected part. If anything, this Colts receiving corps was expected to struggle a bit with the departure of Marvin Harrison, and the injury of Antonio Gonzalez, which was expected to place a ton of heat on Wayne.

Collie's ability to grasp the offense has been a huge key. He's always run clean, precise routes and he's always been able to get open.

On draft day, however, those attributes and the ability to translate to the pros were questioned, as was his size at 6-foot, 200 pounds.

"Austin showed that he had a gift for creating space and separating himself from defenders," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "He had the opportunity to come into minicamps and he showed us that he could catch the ball and that he loved to study. We certainly could not have expected him to play as well as he's playing, but he's showing what hard work can do for a player."

The results are mixed for other rookies drafted from last season. Sean Smith, the former Utah cornerback, is in Miami, starting for the Dolphins.

And while he's shown the promise to develop into one of the top defenders in the league, he's still struggled.

Former Utah defensive end Paul Kruger, drafted in the second round, is with the Baltimore Ravens and struggling just to get onto the field, being inactive in seven of the Ravens nine games.

Collie sees this and while he would've liked to go sooner than the fourth round, knows that he landed in exactly the right spot.

"It goes to show that you want to get drafted where you can go out on the field and prove yourself," Collie said. "I got that chance, and the chance to be on a winning football team. I can't ask for more than that."

The key for Collie is longevity. He's proved that he's a talent at the slot receiver. Where does he go from there? Can he develop into a starter? Can he develop the ability to stretch defenses deep? Those are questions that should be answered down the road.

"There are plenty of people who put together one good game or a good half a season and are never heard from again," Caldwell said. "But the test is over the long haul. He has to do it week in and week out. That's his challenge."

tjones@sltrib.com