NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Rusty Smith showed up for work bright and early Monday morning, and the Tennessee quarterback hasn’t left the building much since.

That’s because the sixth-round draft pick from Florida Atlantic is about to become the first rookie quarterback from Jacksonville to start in the NFL, not Tim Tebow — who also went to the same big church back home as Smith.

Smith will start Sunday in Houston against the Texans (4-6) with Vince Young on injured reserve and needing surgery on his right thumb, and with veteran Kerry Collins recovering from a strained left calf.

Collins doesn’t think anyone has to worry about the 6-foot-5, 226-pound Smith being prepared.

“He’s a starting quarterback,” Collins said. “There’s pressure, but that’s when you just got to focus on what you need to do. I think everybody will see that he’s ready to play.”

Only a week ago, Smith moved up from No. 3 to Young’s backup due to Collins’ injury and talked of trying to emulate Colt McCoy if he did have to hit the field.