New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) makes a one handed catch for a touchdown in 2nd quarter

Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. did not impress his former college quarterback Zach Mettenberger with his one-handed touchdown catch against the Titans. (William Perlman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD — Football fans and experts have hailed Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s one-handed touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys as one of the best ever. But count Beckham's college quarterback Zach Mettenberger as one of a small minority of people who were not all that impressed.

Mettenberger, who starred at Louisiana State University and is now the quarterback for the 2-10 Tennessee Titans — who host the Giants this week —, said that Beckham and fellow LSU receiver Jarvis Landry, now with the Miami Dolphins, would consistently make difficult catches look routine.

"He's had better in practices at LSU," Mettenberger said. "[Beckham] and Jarvis both have been known to make those catches. That was not a surprise for anyone who's been around those two for the last three years."

Mettenberger couldn't think of a catch Beckham made that was better off the top of his head, and added that what made his catch against the Cowboys so great was the fact that Beckham shook off the physicality of cornerback Brandon Carr, who drew a pass interference flag on the play.

"The circumstances with the pass interference and it being a touchdown was what made it so great, but trust me if you can get your hands on some of the practice film at LSU, you would see just how freaky the catches he's made in the past," Mettenberger said.

Aside from the catch, Mettenberger had some high praise for his former teammate, calling him "without a doubt" the best athlete he's ever been around in any sport and that his immediate success in the NFL has not surprised him one bit.

"[Beckham] can do it all, and I've seen him do it all, but I'm very proud of him and the work he's put in and the success he's had on the field."

The Titans rookie has put together a solid season himself since taking over for the ineffective Jake Locker in week eight, throwing eight touchdowns against six interceptions for 1,287 yards and completing 60 percent of his passes. He is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered against the Houston Texans last week, but sounded confident that he would play against the Giants.

Mettenberger added that he hoped to catch up with Beckham before they meet on Sunday in Nashville.

"We try to as much as we can [to keep in touch], but you get caught up doing our own things with our teams but I'll be sure to touch base with him this week," he said.

Perhaps Beckham can re-create their college magic with Mettenberger watching from the opposing sideline on Sunday.

Nick Powell may be reached at npowell@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickpowellbkny. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.