Austin Collie's fast track to the Big Show doesn't surprise those who know him. Just eight years ago, Collie was a skinny high school player from California trying to catch somebody's eye around BYU's summer youth football camp, where his big brother Zac helped run things.
Just 14 months ago, he became BYU's all-time leading receiver two years after an LDS mission to Argentina. A year ago, Collie was in Los Angeles working out for the NFL combine as the NCAA's pass reception leader. Two weeks ago, he helped the Colts in a come-from-behind victory in the AFC Championship.
This week, barring injury, Austin Collie will start in the Super Bowl less than a year from being the Colts' fourth-round draft pick. Determined, motivated, a self-made perfectionist and king gym rat. Those words more than describe Collie. It is an understatement to say he certainly made a huge mark after leaving BYU at the end of his junior season. A risk to leave college early? Not really.
Just a big reward.
