NFL Draft: Tavon Austin Leads A Revolutionary Class Of Player
By Kyle Kensing
November 3, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Tavon Austin (1) runs after a pass reception as TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Kenny Cain (51) defends the play during the first quarter at Milan Puskar Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia Mountaineers’ do-everything talent Tavon Austin has ascended up NFL draft boards almost as quickly as he exploded through openings last season. Austin is a veritable Swiss Army Knife, a proven danger in the passing game with over 3400 yards in his four seasons at West Virginia. Austin is also a threat in special teams. He returned three kicks and a punt for touchdowns in the past two seasons. And, in a Big 12 Conference meeting with the Oklahoma Sooners, Austin rolled off 344 yards at running back.
Now, Austin was not a revolutionary college player because he integrated so seamlessly into such an array of positions. Predecessors like former Clemson Tigers star C.J. Spiller, now with the Buffalo Bills, and USC Trojans Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. Austin went so far as to call them “twins.” There’s a key difference, though.
No, Austin’s NFL stock is revolutionary because at 5-foot-8 and under 180 pounds, he redefines the long-held standard of how a play-making back or receiver should be built. Spiller is 5-foot-11 and over 200 pounds; Bush is 6-foot and pushing 210 pounds.
The NFL continuously beefed up over the latter portion of last decade. The game’s collective growth changed the role of flanker to what we know today as slot receiver. Austin and his ilk are a throwback in a sense, bringing back the star flanker position to the NFL. Teams are clamoring for Austin, whether it’s the New York Jets or Buffalo Bills, either of which could take him in the first 10 picks.
NFL interest in Austin demonstrates the professional game’s shift to a more wide-open brand of football, a transition the college game has made progressively over the last decade.
The most obvious comparison to Austin returning to the college ranks next season is Oregon Ducks multi-purpose back De’Anthony Thomas.
The Black Momba was an electrifying wide receiver and returner his freshman year. He still plays special teams for the Ducks, but last year transitioned to running back. With the departure of Kenjon Barner for the NFL, Thomas is likely to emerge as Oregon’s feature back — a role conducive to stellar individual numbers throughout the last few years at UO.
A 5-foot-9, 175-pound back like Thomas would previously function as a change-of-pace rusher. Oregon succeeded with another undersized feature back before Thomas though, 2010 Heisman finalist LaMichael James. James was 15-20 pounds heavier than Thomas — but James was not the same multifaceted player Thomas has been for the Ducks in his two years.
November 10, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Venric Mark (5) runs the ball against the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Northwestern Wildcats running back Venric Mark emerged onto the national radar late last season, and appears on the initial 2013 Heisman watch. Mark was the FWAA’s 1st Team All-America punt returner with an 18.7 yard per attempt average and two touchdowns. But Mark also rushed for 1366 yards and 12 touchdowns, and caught 20 passes for another score.
Mark is 5-foot-8, about 175 pounds — the same as Austin. He has the same explosion through gaps, though demonstrates it more as a ball carrier than receiver. Northwestern offensive coordinator Mick McCall has demonstrated a willingness to experiment, including lining up quarterback Kain Colter at receiver. Perhaps in 2013, we could see Mark’s skill set more in the passing game.
Kent State’s return to the postseason for the first time in four decades was due in no small part to Dri Archer. Archer earned consensus All-American recognition as a kick returner with three taken back to the house.
Perhaps overlooked in Archer’s exciting return game is that he averaged nine yards per carry en route to 1429 on the season. Archer also 39 passes for 561 yards, and he accounted for 23 total touchdowns in 2012.
Should Austin meet the growing expectations NFL GMs and pundits have for him, his success would lay the foundation for this crop of multi-talented play-makers to break out professionally.