ASHBURN, Va. - The grin on Darnerien McCants' face couldn't be wider.
From earning a double scholarship after playing just one year of football at Arundel High to breaking records at Delaware State to being chosen by the Washington Redskins in last year's draft, McCants has lived 24 years that nearly any athlete would envy.
Throw in his three-catch, 49-yard, one-touchdown performance on national television Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, and McCants can't seem to wipe away the smile that dances upon his face.
"So far, everything's been good for me," he said.
McCants is beginning to shine in just his second pro season as a Redskin. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound wide receiver has been widely regarded as a project, a player with an untapped wealth of talent.
"He's very talented and still very, very young and green," said Washington quarterback Shane Matthews. "But the more he practices and the more he plays, the more comfortable he will get."
McCants' evolution as a football player began at Arundel High, where he picked up the sport in his senior year to complement his participation in basketball and track.
An All-Anne Arundel County receiver and an All-Metro high jumper who won the Class 4A state title in that event, he was offered a double scholarship by Delaware State. In his senior year at the Delaware school, he broke former San Francisco 49er John Taylor's record for touchdown receptions by converting 18 of his 36 catches for scores and set another mark by twice catching five passes for touchdowns in game.
Before the 2001 draft, McCants received calls at his mother's home in Odenton from the Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers - all of whom assured him they would select him if he fell to them.
But former Redskins coach and general manager Marty Schottenheimer used the team's 154th pick in the fifth round to grab McCants.
McCants made the team in his rookie year, but he was inactive for all 16 games. He learned to be patient, hoping to impress new coach Steve Spurrier and his staff.
This year, he put together a solid preseason in which he tied fellow wide receiver Derrius Thompson for the team lead in touchdowns with four. McCants caught 11 balls for 194 yards.
But Thompson and Rod Gardner were the starters when the season opened, and even though Spurrier's offensive system frequently employs three- and four-receiver sets, McCants was a member of the special teams unit in weeks 2 and 3 against the Eagles and 49ers.
"Last year, I knew what my situation was. This year was kind of up in the air," he said. "I had a pretty good preseason, and then things just kept changing and it didn't seem like I was a part of those changes."
Biding his time, McCants worked hard in practice - hard enough to persuade Spurrier to give him some time on the offensive side of the ball against the Colts. McCants didn't disappoint, as he jumped in the back of the end zone to catch a 9-yard flutter from Matthews.
"It was perfect," said McCants, who also caught a 32-yard pass from Matthews on a deep crossing pattern that contributed to Washington's 20-0 lead in the second quarter. "As long as it's coming in my direction, I expect to catch it. That's who I am."
Gardner has watched McCants' development and said the youngster continues to improve on his routes and knowledge.
"He's getting his confidence up," Gardner said. "I know he wants to play more. Due to the circumstances, Coach gave him a chance this week, and he went out there and did good."
Spurrier said McCants will be the offense's first option off the bench in its three-receiver sets tomorrow against the Seattle Seahawks. McCants hopes to score again - "Let me run the posts, the corners and the streaks," he said - but simply playing is a step toward living out his dream.
"Every now and again, I have to pinch myself," he said. "I couldn't have asked for anything better."
Next for Redskins
Opponent: Seattle Seahawks
Site: Seahawks Stadium, Seattle
When: Tomorrow, 4:15 p.m.
TV/Radio: Chs. 45, 5/WNAV (1430 AM), WJFK (106.7 FM)
Line: Seahawks by 3