BYU Football History Book: Austin Collie

When it comes to discussing the best wide receivers in BYU football history, the list is only two names long. Austin Collie and Cody Hoffman.

Hoffman’s name is etched throughout the BYU football record books, but for my money, Collie is the best receiver in Cougar history.

Even though he was only in Provo for three seasons, he was an electric receiver and returner, as well as being an excellent pro prospect.

Let’s take a look at all he did for BYU football.

Freshman (2004)

11 games, 53 receptions, 771 yards, 8 touchdowns; 3 kick returns, 59 yards.

Sophomore (2007)

13 games, 56 receptions, 946 yards, 7 touchdowns; 28 kick returns, 723 yards.

Junior (2008)

13 games, 106 receptions, 1,538 yards, 15 touchdowns; 18 kick returns, 495 yards.

Collie’s career spanned 37 games, which makes his 30 touchdown catches and 3,255 yards even more impressive.

Next: BYU Football History Book: Shay Muirbrook

After the 2008 season, he was a finalist for the Bilentnikoff Award, a CBS Sports First Team All-American and a First Team All-Mountain West player.

It isn’t hard to see why. His junior season began with a seven catch, 80 yard performance against Northern Iowa and a five catch, 74 yard performance at Washington.

Collie topped 100 yards in every other game that season, never failing to catch at least seven passes just once (six catches for 116 yards at No. 24 TCU).

Collie was drafted in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.

NFL.com broke down the selection of the former BYU football star, calling him a “strong, physical receiver and outstanding route runner.”

In 49 career NFL games, Collie caught 179 passes for 1,908 yards and 16 touchdowns. Concussions derailed his promising career.