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Big 12 Football: 50 best players of all-time

By Randy Gurzi

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 1: Vince Young #10 of the Texas Longhorns in action against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field on October 1, 2005 in Columbia, Missouri. Texas defeated Missouri 51-20. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 1: Vince Young #10 of the Texas Longhorns in action against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field on October 1, 2005 in Columbia, Missouri. Texas defeated Missouri 51-20. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Tavon Austin, West Virginia Mountaineers
Tavon Austin #1 of the West Virginia Mountaineers (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

. WR. Mountaineers . Tavon Austin. 47. player. 877

Big 12 Football best players of all-time: 47. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia football

When it comes to what he did for his entire collegiate career, Tavon Austin was one of the best players in the NCAA. He was a weapon as a receiver, returner, and running back for West Virginia during a stretch where they were one of the most exciting teams in the nation.

Austin and the Mountaineers were in the Big East until 2012 and his final season in that conference was when he went from an exciting player to one of the most dominant in the sport. Austin had 1,186 yards receiving, 182 on the ground and nine touchdowns combined. He added another 938 yards and two touchdowns as a kick returner as well.

Then, West Virginia moved to the Big 12 in 2012 and that was when Austin really separated himself from other playmakers. He had 114 receptions for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns with another 643 yards and three touchdowns rushing the ball.

He continued to get the rock as a return man, gaining 813 yards on kickoff returns with one touchdown and another 165 on 15 punt returns with another trip to the end zone.

Austin was so impressive that the St. Louis Rams ended up taking him at No. 8 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. His ability to play multiple positions has seen him continue to get him the ball in the NFL but he never reached the heights St. Louis had for him. However, his career is still evolving, and has been a solid contributor for a while now.

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