In the long history of the National Football League draft, only a handful of BYU receivers have been selected, and none has earned significant playing time in the NFL at that position.
Perhaps that's because there's a certain stigma about BYU wide receivers, despite success at the collegiate level, being too slow or too old.
Could Austin Collie, considered by many as the best receiver in Cougar history, break through and make an impact in the NFL?
His agent, Carter Chow, thinks so.
"There have been a lot of great receivers that have come out of BYU, some very productive college receivers," said Chow, who is the son of former longtime BYU offensive coordinator Norm Chow. "For whatever reason, whether it's the speed or the age or the opportunity, they haven't had the chance. I think Austin is going to change that. He has everything teams are looking for. Once he gets to (an NFL) camp and gets in there and learns the offense, he's going to be a hard guy to get off the roster. He's the kind of guy that anything can happen."
Since 1987, two BYU receivers have been taken in the NFL draft — Todd Watkins, who was picked in the seventh round in 2006 and currently plays for the Oakland Raiders; and Mark Bellini, who was chosen in the seventh round in 1987. The other Cougar wideouts who have been drafted include Glen Kozlowski (11th round, 1986); Dan Plater (fourth round, 1982); Lloyd Jones (eighth round, 1981); and Phil Odle (fifth round, 1968).
Collie, 23, who became BYU's all-time receiving leader last season, is projected to be a mid-round draft pick. One knock on him is his lack of speed and explosiveness off the line of scrimmage — and at the NFL Combine in February, Collie ran a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash. On the other hand, scouts praise him for being a receiver who runs sharp, precise routes and knows how to get open.
"He runs great routes, he's got good-enough speed, and he's got great hands. That's a pretty good combination for a receiver," said Chow, who is a graduate of BYU's law school and an attorney and sports agent at Yee & Dubin Sports in Los Angeles. "Austin had a great Pro Day and he showed he can play in the league, not only in the combine, but at the Pro Day. But I can't tell you where he'll go (in the draft)."
Collie is hoping for the best as the draft approaches this weekend.
"That's all it is — just wait-and-see," he said. "The NFL is a different business from most. You never know. You just have to wait until draft day."
Of course, Collie isn't the only former Cougar hoping to be drafted this weekend.
Offensive linemen Travis Bright, Ray Feinga and Dallas Reynolds could go in the late rounds or sign as undrafted free agents.
Like Collie, Bright and Feinga participated in the NFL Combine. On Pro Day at BYU on March 11, Bright improved on his bench press reps from 34 at the combine to 35. A hamstring injury prevented Feinga from taking part in running drills at the combine and at Pro Day, which could negatively affect his stock.
Other prospects include linebacker David Nixon and fullback Fui Vakapuna.
At Pro Day, Vakapuna received a lot of individual attention from Cincinnati Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson. The Bengals tried to sign a former BYU running back, Naufahu Tahi, recently, but Tahi opted to return to the Minnesota Vikings after the Vikings matched the Bengals' one-year, $1.4 million offer.
Tahi and Vakapuna, who are cousins, are comparable in their playing-styles.
Chow also represents Nixon, who has made one visit to an NFL team and has had numerous NFL clubs inquire about him. "He's absolutely going to be a priority free agent guy, but I wouldn't be surprised if a team stepped up and took him late," Chow said.
Overall, Chow is counting on positive things to happen for Nixon and Collie this weekend.
"Those guys have worked extremely hard and generated a lot of interest, which is good for them and for the (BYU) program," he said. "We're excited to see what's going to happen Saturday and Sunday."
E-mail: jcall@desnews.com