Marques Colston

Marques Colston (born June 5, 1983) is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hofstra. Colston holds the NFL record for most receptions in a player's first two seasons with 168. He helped the Saints achieve victory in Super Bowl XLIV with 7 receptions for 83 yards. Colston is the Saints' all-time franchise leader in receiving touchdowns and in total touchdowns.

Early years
Colston's father, James, played briefly in the Canadian Football League: Marques began playing football at a very young age. James Colston died when Marques was 14. 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/defensive end. In track, he qualified for the 2001 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the javelin with a throw of 187 ft, 10 inches. Colston graduated from Susquehanna Township High School soon after in June 2001.

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

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. Colston 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.

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 avg.) and seven touchdowns. Colston redshirted the 2004 season due to a shoulder injury.

2006 NFL Draft
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. He was selected in the 7th Round of the draft, 252nd overall, by the New Orleans Saints.

New Orleans Saints
After a solid performance at minicamp and the trade of fellow wide receiver Donte Stallworth to the Philadelphia Eagles, Colston was thrust into a week one starting position. He is one of very few Seventh Round draft picks to start in their teams' first regular season game. Colston became the favorite target of new quarterback Drew Brees. Colston finished the season with 70 receptions, 1,038 yards, and eight touchdowns, including one for 86 yards. He helped the Saints to the playoffs and a 10-6 record. The Saints beat the Philadelphia Eagles and made it to the NFC Championship Game with the Chicago Bears. Despite Colston scoring a touchdown, the Saints fell 39-14, ending the team's magical season.

Colston tied for second in voting for Offensive Rookie of the Year, behind Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, and with Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew. He had more votes than his fellow rookie teammate, the much more celebrated Reggie Bush, who was picked 2nd overall by the Saints. Colston was among the NFC leaders in receptions (70), receiving yards (1,038) and receiving TDs (8).

He returned to the Saints for his sophomore season as the franchise's number one wide receiver.

Against the San Francisco 49ers on the 28th of October 2007, Colston caught a career high 3 touchdown passes from Drew Brees and guided the Saints to a victory. For the 2007 season, Colston set a team record for receptions (98), besting the previous mark set by Joe Horn. Colston also tied Horn's record for touchdown receptions in a season (11).

On July 23, Colston signed a 3-year contract extension with the Saints through the 2011 season. In 2008 Colston suffered a broken thumb after a hit by Ronde Barber on a quick slant pass in the Saints week 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This sidelined Colston for 4 weeks and Lance Moore moved up into the starting receiver position. Two games back from injury, in London against the San Diego Chargers, Colston made a huge 54 yard catch, and was eventually brought down by Antonio Cromartie. He recorded a 70 yard touchdown catch the next week against the Green Bay Packers. This added to the Saints victory over the Packers by a score of 51-29. Colston finished the season with five scores for 760 receiving yards on 47 receptions.

Colston helped the Saints achieve victory in Super Bowl XLIV with 7 receptions for 83 yards in 2009. He scored nine times that season and recorded 1,074 receiving yards. Colston continued his productivity over the next two seasons, with 1,023 receiving yards in 2010 and 1,143 yards in 2011, plus 15 total touchdowns in those two seasons.

On March 13, 2012, Colston signed a 5 year, $40 million dollar contract extension with the Saints.

On October 7, 2012, Colston broke Joe Horn's record for most touchdown catches by a Saints receiver, catching three touchdowns to make 52 for his career. On November 11, 2012, he tied Deuce McAllister's team record for total touchdowns with his 55th career touchdown.

NFL Records

 * Most receptions in a player's first two seasons (168).

Personal
Colston is one of the part-owners of his hometown Harrisburg Stampede of the American Indoor Football.