Tavon Austin’s Draft Profile: Tavon Austin Draft
Tavon Austin, a dynamic and electrifying playmaker, emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft. His exceptional speed, agility, and versatility as a receiver and return specialist generated significant buzz and anticipation amongst NFL teams. Scouting reports painted a picture of a player with immense potential, but also raised questions about his size and ability to translate his college success to the professional level.
Tavon Austin’s Pre-Draft Scouting Reports
Pre-draft scouting reports on Tavon Austin highlighted his exceptional athleticism and playmaking abilities, but also acknowledged his limitations in size and route running.
- Strengths:
- Elite Speed and Agility: Austin possessed blazing speed, clocking a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, showcasing his ability to accelerate quickly and create separation from defenders.
- Versatility: His skillset extended beyond receiving, as he excelled as a return specialist, showcasing his explosiveness and ability to make big plays.
- Elusive: Austin’s agility and quick cuts allowed him to evade tackles and make defenders miss in the open field, making him a difficult player to bring down.
- Big Play Potential: He had the ability to turn short passes into long gains and create explosive plays, demonstrating his big-play potential.
- Weaknesses:
- Size: Austin’s 5’8″ height and 174-pound frame raised concerns about his ability to withstand the physicality of NFL defenses, particularly in the running game.
- Route Running: While he demonstrated good route-running ability, he needed to refine his technique and develop a more consistent route tree.
- Durability: Some scouts questioned his durability due to a history of minor injuries in college.
Tavon Austin’s College Performance at West Virginia University
Tavon Austin’s college career at West Virginia University was marked by explosive plays and consistent production, establishing him as one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in college football.
- Statistics:
- In his four seasons at West Virginia, Austin amassed 2,888 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns on 225 receptions.
- He averaged an impressive 12.8 yards per reception, showcasing his ability to create big plays.
- Austin also returned 65 punts for 955 yards and 3 touchdowns, demonstrating his impact as a return specialist.
- Key Highlights:
- In 2012, Austin was named a unanimous All-American and the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
- He set an NCAA record for most receiving touchdowns in a single game with four against Baylor in 2012.
- Austin’s electrifying performances earned him recognition as one of the most exciting players in college football.
Factors Contributing to Tavon Austin’s First-Round Selection, Tavon austin draft
Despite concerns about his size and route running, Tavon Austin’s exceptional athleticism, playmaking ability, and versatility made him a highly sought-after prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft.
- Elite Speed and Agility: His ability to create big plays and make defenders miss was a significant factor in his first-round selection.
- Versatility: His ability to contribute as a receiver, return specialist, and even as a running back on occasion made him a valuable asset for NFL teams.
- Potential: Despite his limitations, scouts recognized his immense potential and believed that with proper development, he could become a dominant offensive force in the NFL.
- High Demand: Austin’s talent and potential led to high demand from several NFL teams, ultimately resulting in his selection as the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.
Tavon Austin’s NFL Career
Tavon Austin’s NFL career was a blend of electrifying potential and frustrating inconsistency. Drafted eighth overall in 2013 by the St. Louis Rams, Austin brought the same explosive speed and agility that made him a standout at West Virginia University. However, his time in the league was marked by a combination of injuries, a lack of consistent offensive scheme, and the inability to fully capitalize on his versatile skill set.
Teams and Statistics
Austin played for five teams during his NFL career: the St. Louis Rams (2013-2016), the Dallas Cowboys (2017), the San Francisco 49ers (2018), the Buffalo Bills (2019), and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2020). While his career statistics reflect his ability to create big plays, they also highlight his struggles with consistency.
- St. Louis Rams: Austin’s most productive years were with the Rams, where he established himself as a dynamic offensive weapon. He totaled 1,637 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in four seasons. He also added 1,544 kick return yards and one touchdown, showcasing his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game.
- Dallas Cowboys: In 2017, Austin joined the Cowboys, but his role was limited. He had only 17 receptions for 141 yards and one touchdown. His time in Dallas was hampered by injuries, including a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the season.
- San Francisco 49ers: Austin signed with the 49ers in 2018, but his impact was minimal. He played in only five games and recorded just two receptions for 19 yards.
- Buffalo Bills: Austin joined the Bills in 2019, but his role was primarily as a return specialist. He had only four receptions for 14 yards in nine games.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: In 2020, Austin signed with the Jaguars, but he was released before the start of the season.
Factors Influencing Performance
Austin’s career was affected by a combination of factors, including injuries, coaching styles, and his own struggles with consistency.
- Injuries: Throughout his career, Austin battled several injuries, including hamstring, foot, and shoulder issues. These injuries limited his playing time and disrupted his ability to build momentum.
- Coaching Styles: Austin’s performance was also influenced by the coaching styles of different teams. Some coaches utilized his versatility effectively, while others struggled to integrate him into their offensive schemes.
- Inconsistency: Despite his talent, Austin was often inconsistent. He would have flashes of brilliance, but he struggled to maintain that level of performance throughout entire seasons. Some attributed this to his slight frame and his ability to withstand the physicality of the NFL.
Impact of Versatility
Austin’s versatility as a receiver and returner was both a blessing and a curse. While it allowed him to contribute in multiple ways, it also led to a lack of focus on developing a specific role.
- Offensive Weapon: Austin’s speed and agility made him a threat in the passing game, as he could create big plays after the catch. He also excelled as a returner, posing a constant threat to opposing defenses.
- Lack of Focus: Some argue that Austin’s versatility hindered his development as a receiver. His role as a returner and his frequent shifts to different positions may have prevented him from mastering the intricacies of a specific position.
Tavon Austin’s Legacy and Impact
Tavon Austin’s career in the NFL was a whirlwind of electrifying talent and frustrating inconsistency. While he never quite lived up to the hype surrounding his selection as the eighth overall pick in the 2013 draft, Austin left a mark on the league with his unique skill set and undeniable speed. Examining his career trajectory reveals valuable lessons for both players and teams about the challenges of maximizing potential and the importance of finding the right fit.
Comparing Austin’s Career to Other High-Profile Draft Picks
Austin’s career is often compared to other dynamic playmakers drafted in the same era, such as Percy Harvin, DeSean Jackson, and even Chris Johnson. These players, like Austin, possessed exceptional speed and agility, making them a threat to score from anywhere on the field. However, their careers also exhibited similar patterns of inconsistency and injury concerns.
- Percy Harvin, drafted by the Vikings in 2009, was a dynamic returner and receiver who could make big plays in the open field. However, he struggled with injuries and off-field issues, ultimately leading to his departure from Minnesota and a series of short stints with other teams.
- DeSean Jackson, drafted by the Eagles in 2008, is known for his deep speed and ability to stretch the field. He has enjoyed a long and successful career, but his reputation has been marred by off-field controversies and occasional inconsistency.
- Chris Johnson, drafted by the Titans in 2008, broke the NFL single-season rushing record in 2009. However, his production declined after that season, and he bounced around to several teams before retiring in 2018.
Austin’s career path, while different from these players in specific details, mirrored their general trend of inconsistency and a lack of sustained success.
Tavon austin draft – Tavon Austin was a hot commodity in the 2013 NFL Draft, known for his blazing speed and electrifying playmaking ability. His career stats tell the story of a player who was a dynamic weapon, but whose impact was often limited by his size and injuries.
You can check out his career stats, including his receiving, rushing, and return yards, here. Despite his struggles to find consistency, Austin’s draft selection still reflects the high expectations that surrounded him coming out of West Virginia.
Tavon Austin was a hot commodity in the 2013 NFL Draft, with his blazing speed and electrifying playmaking ability turning heads. After being selected by the Rams, he went on to have a few decent seasons before landing with the Dallas Cowboys, where he tried to make a splash , but unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out.
His draft stock was pretty high, but he never quite reached his full potential in the league.
