TCU's Josh Doctson reflects on rapid rise from walk-on to No. 1 receiver

TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson will start the upcoming football season billed as the No. 1 wideout for the second-ranked football program in the nation.

Four years ago, however, he was simply another under-the-radar prospect in talent-rich Texas, unable to attract serious attention from the Horned Frogs or any other top program.

Coming out of high school, Doctson received only two scholarship offers. He opted to join Wyoming, where he made 35 catches for 393 yards and five touchdowns in his freshman campaign.

But he left the program prior to the start of his second season looking to be closer to family in North Texas after learning his grandfather was terminally ill.

Doctson's mother worked at TCU as the school's vice chancellor for marketing and communications and he had practically grown up on campus. As a child, Doctson served as one of the school's Bleacher Creatures who run from one end of the field to the other prior to the start of the football team's home games.

The reciever reached out to TCU, which extended him an offer as a walk-on - a decision it wouldn't regret. Doctson caught 36 passes, including four touchdowns, in 2013 and earned a scholarship offer the following year.

"I just try to keep the same mentality of a dude that had to work for a scholarship here," Doctson said of the whirlwind turnaround, according to Dan Wolken of USA Today. "I feel like when I’m that person, I’m at my best. To be a guy that sees a potential future on the next level, is it the right way to think?

"I’m new to this. I’ve never been in this position, so I’m just playing ball like I’ve been doing when I wasn’t on scholarship. It really helps me play better and play hard every play and whatever comes after is a blessing."