Marques Colston

Marques E. Colston ( born June 5, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL).

The reception was the longest receiving play for the Saints since Eddie Kennison had a 90-yard play in 1999.

On October 29, Colston caught six passes for 163 receiving yards and had a season-high two touchdown receptions during a 35–22 loss against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8.

He was named the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 8.

He was named the Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.

The following week, Colston made a season-high 11 receptions for 123 receiving yards and one touchdown during the Saints' 31–14 victory at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.

Once again, he earned Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 9.

In Week 10, Colston recorded 10 catches for a season-high 169 receiving yards during a 38–31 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

His performance marked his third consecutive game with over 100 receiving yards.

Colston sprained his left ankle during a Week 11 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and missed the next two games.

Colston finished his rookie season with 70 receptions, 1,038 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns in 14 games and 12 starts.

Colston graduated from Susquehanna Township High School in June 2001.

Colston lettered three years in track & field and was a standout.

He qualified for the 2001 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Outdoor T&F Championships in the javelin, recording a top-throw of 57.03 meters.

He was also a member of the Susquehanna 4 × 100 m (42.41 s) relay squad.

Colston received a scholarship offer from the Division I-A University of Missouri but turned the offer down in favor of Division I-AA Hofstra.

Colston had 14 receptions for 335 yards (23.9 avg.) and three touchdowns as a freshman.

In 2002, he made 47 grabs for 614 yards (13.06 avg.) and three scores.

As a junior in 2003, Colston led the team with 51 receptions for 910 yards (17.8 average) and seven touchdowns.

Colston redshirted the 2004 season due to a shoulder injury, but in 2005 was named to the All-Atlantic 10 First-team after making a career-high 70 receptions for 976 yards (13.9 avg.) and five touchdowns.

In four seasons at Hofstra, Colston appeared in 40 games (37 starts) and recorded 182 catches for a school-record 2,834 yards and 18 touchdowns.

He played college football for the Hofstra Pride, and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

He helped the Saints achieve victory in Super Bowl XLIV with seven receptions for 83 yards against the Indianapolis Colts.

He is the Saints' all-time franchise leader in receiving yards, yards from scrimmage, receiving touchdowns, and total receptions.

Despite favorable statistics compared to other Pro Bowl or All-Pro players in the same position like Brandon Marshall and Reggie Wayne, Colston was never selected for either in his career.

Colston is often regarded as arguably one of the greatest players in NFL history to never have been selected to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection.

Colston attended Susquehanna Township High School, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and was a letterman in football and track.

In football, he won All-Conference honors as a wide receiver and defensive end.

Colston declared for the 2006 NFL Draft.

He was tipped in many prospect profiles to become a tight end, because of his size and catching ability, but was also predicted to go undrafted.

The New Orleans Saints selected Colston in the seventh round with the 252nd overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.

Colston was the 32nd wide receiver drafted in 2006.

He was the seventh player ever drafted out of Hofstra.

On July 14, 2006, the New Orleans Saints signed Colston to a three-year, $1.10 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $24,600.

Throughout training camp, Colston competed to be the third wide receiver on the depth chart against Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, and Terrance Copper.

After performing well throughout training camp, head coach Sean Payton elected to trade starting wide receiver Donte Stallworth, stating Colston's progress made Stallworth expendable.

He made his professional regular season debut in the New Orleans Saints' season-opener at the Cleveland Browns and made four receptions for 49 yards and scored his first career touchdown.

He made his first career touchdown reception on a 12-yard pass by quarterback Drew Brees during the third quarter.

In Week 3, in a game on the road against the Carolina Panthers, Colston recorded an 86-yard receiving touchdown in the 21–18 loss.

With Hofstra discontinuing their football program in 2009, Colston became their last player to be drafted from the program.