JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Richard Collier used to spend his days arranging heads of lettuce, stacking ears of corn and washing apples, tomatoes and cucumbers.

Working in the produce section at Wal-Mart for two years after high school, Collier also realized he was wasting his football talent.

``It took me to lose everything to recognize how much I had,'' Collier said Wednesday. ``It was a blessing, really. I found out how it would be if I didn't work hard and apply myself.''

Collier has been applying himself since. He played two seasons at Tyler Junior College in Texas and two more at Valdosta State before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted rookie in April. Now, the 6-foot-7, 358-pound offensive tackle is making a strong push to earn a roster spot this season.

``He's still raw,'' coach Jack Del Rio said. ``He's still a big, young guy that needs a lot of work. But he is working hard. He is a big, athletic guy and he's shown some promise.''

Collier showed ability at Northwood High in Shreveport, La., and drew interest from several programs. But he didn't have the grades or test scores to attend most colleges, leaving him with few football options.

He decided to quit, stay at home with his mother and get a job stocking shelves in the produce department. It was hardly the lifestyle he imagined growing up. Then again, he figured it was what he deserved.

``I was childish and just playing around,'' Collier said. ``I was the class clown, a good football player, but nobody could tell me anything. I just had a lot of growing up to do before I realized that going to college was something I really needed to do. I wasn't focused at all.''

Collier began to focus while staring at produce all day. He enrolled at Tyler Junior College, about 90 miles west of Shreveport, and got back into football. He showed up weighing 390 pounds and having not lifted a weight in two years. Offensive line coach Jamie Critchlow, now the head coach at Tyler, wanted to redshirt him.

Collier convinced him otherwise.

``I worked hard, and in about a month, I was starting,'' Collier said.

Collier got his grades - and body - in order and transferred to Valdosta State in 2004. He helped the Blazers win the Division II national championship that season and earned All-America honors as a senior in 2005.

But he failed to impress many NFL scouts.

The Jaguars were the only team to bring Collier in for a workout before the draft. He signed with Jacksonville for several reasons: the visit, the fact that the team didn't draft an offensive lineman and because Del Rio has a history of giving rookie free agents a shot in the league.

At least two undrafted rookies have made the opening-day roster in each of Del Rio's first three seasons, including receiver Cortez Hankton in 2003, cornerback David Richardson in 2004 and fullback Derrick Wimbush last year. All are still with the team.

``I just wanted an opportunity,'' said Collier, a criminal justice major who is close to graduating. ``I didn't really care about getting drafted. It would have been nice, but I just wanted an opportunity.''

Collier has one now - a big one, too. He is battling Wayne Hunter for the backup left tackle spot behind starter Khalif Barnes.

``I don't think it would be realistic to heap huge expectations on him,'' Del Rio said. ``First, he has to make the football team and then we'll determine a role. A big, young talented guy needs time to develop. We would like, ideally, to bring him along slowly.''

And not force him back to the produce section.

``It took a lot for me to realize that it wasn't for me,'' Collier said. ``I've got so much potential. I'm enjoying it, taking it all in. I'm living my dream.''

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