Tristin McCollum strives to be more than just another depth piece for Eagles

"Here's a guy that most people probably didn't think would make the cut. He's always put the work in and embraced being the underdog. Luckily for him, it's paid off." - Former Sam Houston General Manager Clayton Barnes

A third-year safety out of Sam Houston with one career start under his belt, Tristin McCollum never expected a spot in "The League" to come easily.

Just a two-star recruit and truly on the radars of only a limited number of scouts back in his Friday Night Lights days, he's had to work his way up the ladder to a semblance of job security, not only in the NFL but in the collegiate ranks, too. Heck, he was tabbed as the 40th-best player at his position in the state of Texas, per 247Sports.

Yes, it's an absolute hot bed for talent, but that two-star ranking (twin brother three-star) showed just how much work had to be done for him to continue his impressive ascension to one day playing on Sundays.

After a first-year campaign at Sam Houston, which saw him garner a single start, he would eventually make second-team all-conference honors, before going undrafted en route to a free agent deal with the Texans.

Barnes first scouted Tristin and his twin brother, Zyon (a former three-star recruit and Tampa Bay CB), while the duo played high school ball for Ball High School in the Lone Star State. He's long admired the now Super Bowl champion safety. He first noticed Tristin McCollum while serving as assistant director of player development at Texas State, and also as GM of Sam Houston.

"He played multiple spots for multiple coaches. His talent was always there," said Barnes. "The player you'll see on Sunday is there partly because he played early on and got a lot of snaps in his college career. The best thing for his development was to get him on the field."

McCollum defies expectations and becomes contributor for Eagles

Fast forward to the present, and he has gotten on the field, albeit sparingly for the top-rated defense in the NFL. But he has stuck. Climbing the ranks the way he has is nothing short of phenomenal.

That is the key here.

As a rookie for his hometown Houston Texans, he never made it off the practice squad. Then he landed in Philly, and he has been not only active, but also showed he can answer the call when his number is dialed up by Fangio.