UtahProAthletes.com
PROVO, Utah (Jan. 9, 2009) – BYU All-American wide receiver Austin Collie announced Friday that he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Collie called this the "toughest decision I have ever had to make because I love it here and I love BYU."
"It is a choice I feel comfortable making," said Collie, the all-time leading receiver in BYU history. "I am ready for the next challenge."
A 6-foot-2, 206-pound native of El Dorado Hills, Calif., Collie led the nation in total receiving yards (1,538) and receiving yards per game (118.31) as a junior in 2008 with 106 receptions, including 15 for touchdowns. He averaged 162.46 all-purpose yards per game to rank 12th in the nation while helping BYU to a 10-3 record and No. 16 ranking in the final BCS standings.
A strong, physical receiver and outstanding route runner, Collie tied the NCAA record in 2008 with 11 consecutive games with 100 or more receiving yards. A versatile athlete, he also contributed as runner and kick returner, including two returns of 70 yards or more in 2008.
A Freshman All-American and Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2004 with 53 catches for 771 yards, Collie earned second-team All-MWC honors with 56 catches for 946 yards as a sophomore after returning from a two-year mission in Argentina for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He earned All-America and All-MWC First Team accolades in 2008 during his record-setting junior season.
Collie finishes his three-year college career as the BYU record holder in the following statistical categories:
BYU SEASON & CAREER RECORDS
Single-season receiving touchdowns: 15 (2008)
Single-season receiving yards: 1,538 (2008)
Single-season receptions: 106 (2008)
Single-season 100-yard receiving games: 11 (2008)
Single-season all-purpose yards: 2,112 (2008)
Career receiving touchdowns: 30
Career receiving yards: 3,255
Career receptions: 215
Career 100-yard receiving games: 17
Coach Bronco Mendenhall said Collie will be "very difficult to replace" and he noted that there isn't one single player who can do it.
"It's an emotional day for all of us, but also a day to celebrate what Austin has done at BYU," Mendenhall said.
Collie stated that he is approximatley a year and a half away from graduating with a communications degree, and vowed that he would return to finish college.
