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Dylan Collie is coming home to BYU for his final season of eligibility after playing for Hawaii the past couple of seasons.
The California native and wide receiver redshirted at BYU during the 2012 season prior to serving an LDS mission. After he returned home, he made the decision to transfer to the University of Hawaii, where he has made a notable impact over the last three years. Collie was one of Hawaii’s most productive players.
“I loved my time at (the University of Hawaii). It was a time where I grew as a man and as a football player,” said Collie. “It gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent.”
Collie announced his decision to transfer to BYU via Twitter in March, after originally announcing his transfer from Hawaii on January 16. He will be immediately eligible to play for the Cougars.
“My ultimate goal is to play at the next level, and I felt that leaving Hawaii was something that I needed to do to give myself the best opportunity to play in the NFL,” Collie said. “BYU is the place where I feel I can get myself to that next level.”
The Collie name is well-known to Cougar fans. Collie’s father, Scott, and brothers — Austin and Zac — have also donned Cougar jerseys in the past. However, that didn’t play a role in his decision to return to the Cougars for his final season, nor did it affect his decision to leave Hawaii in the first place.
“My family did not tell me to transfer. Once I decided to transfer, my family played a big role and supported me through the process of going to whatever school fit me best,” Collie said.
He hopes to make a name for himself while carrying on the legacy that his family left behind for him. Collie returned to Provo to begin training with the team and start his acclamation into the football program. Moving from Hawaii to Provo has gone well.
“I loved Hawaii. That being said, the transition has been pretty smooth,” Collie said. “I have family and a lot of great friends here that make it easy. I’m already familiar with BYU, so the winter weather is going to be the hard part.”
Going into the 2018 season, BYU football offense is looking to elevate its game and become a force to be reckoned with in the West. Collie may offer the edge it needs.
During a prolific junior season, Collie finished with 56 receptions, 636 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. Over his three-year career at the University of Hawaii, Collie racked up 118 receptions, 1,300 yards and 9 touchdowns.
With no obvious front-runner at the wide receiver position, Collie’s return to BYU gives him the opportunity to corner the position during fall camp. With his high productivity at the University of Hawaii, Collie definitely has the potential to make an impact on the BYU offense and bring new talent to the receiving corps.
“I bring a lot of passion to the game, and I’m experienced,” said Collie when asked about the impact he feels he can make on BYU’s growing offense. “I hope to impact the offense by being a leader and doing so with my actions on and off the field.”
Fans and teammates alike are excited to see what Collie can add to the team. As the season approaches, Collie is getting heated up as well. He will join notable returning players Aleva Hifo, Neil Pau’u, Talon Shumway and Micah Simon and incoming freshmen Brayden Cosper and Gunner Romney.
“I think (Collie) brings a veteran knowledge from playing at Hawaii, and he’s able to understand concepts and read defenses,” said fellow wide receiver Neil Pau’u. “His brother has played in the NFL, so that helps as well.”
After Collie announced his transfer to BYU, his brother Austin Collie, a former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, expressed his excitement about the news on Twitter.
The Collies have certainly left their mark on BYU Football over the years. Collie is hoping to do the same as he returns home to Provo.
“I want to join the legacy that the BYU football program has,” Collie said. “It’s an honor and tradition in my family to play for BYU, and I can’t wait for my turn.”
