Mark Orlando's improbable college football career has come to a fitting conclusion.
Four years ago, Orlando made Towson State's team as a walk-on, then spent his first season as a redshirt, when he was rated last among 10 wide receivers on the team's depth chart.
Yesterday, after having become the greatest wide-out in school history, Orlando was named a Division I-AA First Team All-America.
Orlando, teaming up almost exclusively with quarterback Dan Crowley over four seasons, rewrote Towson State's receiving record book in helping the Tigers to an 8-2 record each of the past two seasons.
A 6-foot, 180-pounder with sure hands, excellent moves and breakaway speed, Orlando saved his best season for last. This past season, despite missing his final game with a broken arm, he set school records for most receiving yards in one game (266), most receiving yards in one season (1,223) and most touchdown receptions in a season (12).
He also led all Division I-AA receivers in receiving yards per game (135.9), and even led the division with a 19.8-yard punt return average.
His senior year capped a brilliant career. Orlando wound up with 178 receptions for 3,460 yards and 31 touchdowns, all school records. Over four years, he averaged 19.6 yards per catch. During two seasons as a punt returner, he averaged 15.7 yards per return, also best in school history.
"[The award] is definitely a lesson not to quit or give up," said Orlando, whose arm should be healed in a month, when he can begin working out for interested NFL teams. He has received several calls.
"If I didn't have football these four years, I would have been bored. I would've had fun socially, but I wouldn't have been where I wanted to be as a person. This game has done a lot for me. Maybe it will make me a little money. That would be incredible."