Giants think they have a future star in TE Larry Donnell

LANDOVER, Md. — After grabbing three touchdown passes from Eli Manning, Larry Donnell said he wasn't interested in collecting the balls as keepsakes.

"Naw, there's more coming," said the 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight end, who joined the New York Giants last season as an undrafted rookie free agent from Grambling State in Louisiana.

Donnell (pronounced DON-nell) had three catches last season for 31 yards. Through four games this season, including Thursday night's 45-14 victory over the Washington Redskins, he leads the Giants with 25 catches for 236 yards and four touchdowns.

His three touchdown grabs Thursday night all came in the first half and covered 5, 6 and 6 yards.

Has Donnell exceeded the wildest expectations of Giants coach Tom Coughlin?

"No," said Coughlin, who coming into this season had seen Donnell's promise in practice.

"I just keep saying, 'Let's just keep him getting better,' and he's gotten better each week," said Coughlin. "He's an outstanding athlete, obviously. He has the size. He can get up over the top of people, so he had a very good game, a very good half for sure. ... We just hope he's getting better."

After having to battle just to make the roster last season, Donnell appreciated how far he has come.

"It's a dream come true," he said. "I just sit here and think about it in this moment right now. It's a dream come true. I'm still working hard and focusing on getting better each and every day."

Manning did admit some surprise at how well Donnell is doing.

"Yeah, probably so," said the quarterback. "He didn't have a lot of game action. ... But I was hoping he would be able to play to this level, I really was. I was excited about the possibilities for him this year."

With his size, Donnell is an end zone target. He's a walking mismatch for smaller defensive backs.

"You throw it high and let him make a play," said Manning. "... He's done a good job just understanding the timing of the offense ... and he's making some tough catches for us."

Follow Gary Mihoces on Twitter @ByGaryMihoces.