Tavon Austin Draft A Look at His Rise and NFL Journey - Stephanie Redfern

Tavon Austin Draft A Look at His Rise and NFL Journey

Tavon Austin’s Draft Profile

Tavon austin draft
Tavon Austin, a dynamic and explosive playmaker, entered the 2013 NFL Draft with a reputation as one of the most electrifying talents in college football. His time at West Virginia University showcased his exceptional speed, agility, and versatility, leaving scouts and analysts intrigued by his potential at the professional level.

College Career at West Virginia

Austin’s collegiate career at West Virginia was marked by his remarkable ability to make big plays in both the running and receiving game. He was a threat to score every time he touched the ball, leaving defenders struggling to keep up with his blazing speed. Austin’s explosiveness and elusiveness were evident in his numerous highlight-reel plays, where he showcased his ability to make defenders miss in the open field and break away for long touchdowns. However, his small stature and lack of size raised concerns about his ability to withstand the physicality of the NFL.

Pre-Draft Measurements and Athletic Testing

Austin’s pre-draft measurements and athletic testing results further solidified his reputation as an exceptional athlete. His 4.25-second 40-yard dash time was among the fastest recorded at the NFL Combine, demonstrating his incredible speed and explosiveness. He also posted impressive numbers in the vertical jump and broad jump, showcasing his athleticism and explosiveness. These results compared favorably to other top prospects in his draft class, highlighting his elite athletic abilities.

Factors Influencing Austin’s Draft Stock, Tavon austin draft

Austin’s draft stock was influenced by several key factors, including his exceptional athleticism, versatility, and playmaking ability. His speed and agility made him a nightmare for opposing defenses, while his ability to play both running back and wide receiver added to his value. However, concerns about his size and durability, along with questions about his ability to translate his college success to the NFL, ultimately led to him being selected in the first round.

Tavon Austin’s NFL Draft Selection

Austin tavon pennlive nfl
The 2013 NFL Draft was a pivotal moment for Tavon Austin, as he embarked on his professional football journey. The St. Louis Rams, with their sights set on injecting explosive speed and playmaking ability into their offense, made a bold decision to select Austin.

Tavon Austin’s Selection

The Rams, holding the eighth overall pick in the first round, made Austin the highest-drafted wide receiver in the 2013 draft. This selection was a testament to Austin’s exceptional talent and the high expectations surrounding his potential. Austin’s selection was met with excitement and anticipation, as many believed he had the potential to be a game-changer for the Rams.

Reactions and Expectations

The immediate reactions to Austin’s selection were overwhelmingly positive. Many analysts and fans alike lauded the Rams’ decision, citing Austin’s electrifying speed, agility, and versatility as key reasons for his selection. The Rams, known for their defensive prowess, were looking to add a dynamic offensive weapon who could create big plays and change the game’s momentum. Austin’s selection was seen as a crucial step towards achieving this goal.

Tavon Austin’s Draft Position Compared to Other Wide Receivers

Austin’s selection as the eighth overall pick highlighted his status as one of the most highly-regarded wide receivers in the 2013 draft class. Other notable wide receivers selected in the same year included:

  • DeAndre Hopkins (27th overall, Houston Texans)
  • Cordarrelle Patterson (29th overall, Minnesota Vikings)
  • Robert Woods (40th overall, Buffalo Bills)

While these receivers were selected later in the draft, they all went on to have successful NFL careers, demonstrating the depth and talent of the 2013 wide receiver class. Austin’s selection in the top 10, however, showcased his exceptional talent and the high expectations placed upon him.

Tavon Austin’s NFL Career: Tavon Austin Draft

Tavon austin draft
Tavon Austin’s NFL journey was a mix of electrifying highlights and frustrating inconsistencies. Drafted eighth overall by the St. Louis Rams in 2013, he was expected to be a game-changer, a dynamic weapon capable of transforming an offense. While he displayed flashes of brilliance, injuries, inconsistent usage, and a lack of consistent production ultimately hampered his career.

Tavon Austin’s Time with the St. Louis Rams

Austin’s first few seasons in St. Louis were marked by flashes of brilliance. His speed and agility made him a threat to score from anywhere on the field, and he was particularly dangerous on screen passes and jet sweeps. He was also a valuable return specialist, averaging over 25 yards per kickoff return and nearly 10 yards per punt return in his first three seasons. However, he struggled to stay healthy and never fully lived up to his draft status. He was often used in a limited role, and his impact on the Rams’ offense was inconsistent.

  • 2013: Austin had a promising rookie season, totaling 41 receptions for 441 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also averaged 27.2 yards per kickoff return and 9.9 yards per punt return, earning a Pro Bowl selection as a return specialist.
  • 2014: Austin’s second season was hampered by injuries, and he only played in 12 games. He recorded 39 receptions for 473 yards and 2 touchdowns, with a significant decrease in his return yardage.
  • 2015: Austin again struggled with injuries, playing in just 10 games. He had 25 receptions for 219 yards and 1 touchdown, and his return yardage continued to decline.
  • 2016: Austin finally stayed healthy for a full season, playing in all 16 games. However, he had a career-low 27 receptions for 271 yards and 1 touchdown, highlighting his inconsistent usage and struggles to establish a consistent role within the offense.

Tavon Austin’s Time with the Dallas Cowboys

In 2017, Austin was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in hopes of a fresh start. He was expected to provide a spark to their offense, adding speed and explosiveness to their receiving corps. While he did have some productive moments, he ultimately failed to establish himself as a reliable contributor for the Cowboys. His time in Dallas was marred by injuries and inconsistent play.

  • 2017: Austin had a solid start to his Cowboys career, totaling 27 receptions for 338 yards and 3 touchdowns in 11 games. However, he missed significant time due to injury.
  • 2018: Austin was mostly used as a return specialist, playing in 15 games. He had just 8 receptions for 41 yards and 1 touchdown.

Factors Contributing to Tavon Austin’s Varying Levels of Success

Tavon Austin’s NFL career was a complex mix of factors. His incredible speed and agility made him a threat on the field, but his small stature and injury history limited his effectiveness. His inconsistent usage by coaches, who struggled to find a consistent role for him in their offenses, also contributed to his inconsistent performance.

  • Injury History: Austin was frequently injured throughout his career, limiting his ability to develop consistency and build a rapport with quarterbacks. This hampered his ability to showcase his full potential.
  • Limited Role: Many coaches struggled to find a consistent role for Austin in their offenses. His small size and lack of prototypical receiver size and strength made him a less-than-ideal target in traditional passing situations. This led to him being used primarily on gadget plays, which limited his opportunities and consistency.
  • Inconsistent Usage: Austin’s usage varied significantly from game to game and season to season. He was often over-utilized in some games and under-utilized in others. This inconsistency in usage made it difficult for him to establish a rhythm and build confidence.

Tavon austin draft – Tavon Austin was a lightning bolt on the field, a blur of speed and agility that left defenders in the dust. His college career at West Virginia was a highlight reel, and he was a top pick in the NFL draft.

But before he was a pro, he had a memorable showdown against Oklahoma, a game that showcased his electric talent. You can check out the highlights of that game tavon austin vs oklahoma , and see for yourself why Austin was such a hot commodity in the draft.

Remember Tavon Austin? That lightning-fast receiver who could leave defenders in the dust? Well, his draft day was a big deal, and you can check out all the details about it here. He was a real game-changer, even if his career didn’t quite pan out the way everyone hoped.

Leave a Comment

close