Tavon Austin: "I think I'm the all-around best player in the draft."

[Mr. Laz]

Tavon Austin: 'I'm the all-around best player in the draft'
Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports5:09p.m. EST February 22, 2013


INDIANAPOLIS – Former West Virginia do-it-all wide receiver Tavon Austin says he's the best player available in the NFL draft.

He says he's the fastest player here, too.

"If we all lined up and raced, I think I'd come out on top, but I'm not really a 40 type of guy. I'm a game type of guy," Austin says. "A lot of teams are looking for the type of player who can do multiple things on the field, and I think I can be that guy.

"I think I'm the all-around best player in the draft."

COMBINE: Five players who could rise

A potential NFL slot receiver and kick returner, Austin is projected to go in the bottom of the first round in April. He models his game after Wes Welker, but says he's quicker and faster than the New England Patriots wide receiver.

Austin has yet to run a 40-yard dash or bench press 225 pounds at the scouting combine, and says his goal is to run under 4.4 and to rep 15 times. He measured in at 5-8, 174 pounds, and says his fastest-ever 40 time was 4.29 seconds.

He says he'd like to be two inches taller, but it "wasn't in God's plan." Still, he questions those who would equate his size to durability concerns.

"It shouldn't be a problem," he says. "I haven't gotten hurt or missed a game in eight years, so my durability should be really good."

Austin, who owns every major high school rushing record in Maryland, gained 4,444 career yards rushing and receiving in four seasons at West Virginia, including 1,100-plus receiving yards in his junior and senior seasons.

He grew up a fan of his hometown Baltimore Ravens and the Patriots, but says, "I'd like to go anywhere that calls my name. And hopefully I'll be there for a while."

[KC2004]

www.profootballtalk.com

Tavon Austin, Marquise Goodwin run blistering 40 times
Posted by Michael David Smith on February 24, 2013, 9:27 AM EST
Tavon Austin AP

West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin proclaimed himself the best player in this year’s draft. He’s also one of the fastest players ever to enter any NFL draft.

But he’s not necessarily the fastest player in this draft.

Austin ran a 40-yard dash in an unofficial time of 4.25 seconds. If that holds up when all of the official times come in, it will be the second-fastest in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine, second only to Chris Johnson’s 4.24.

Except that just a couple minutes after Austin turned in his 40 time, Texas receiver Marquise Goodwin equaled it with a 4.25-second 40-yard dash of his own. Goodwin, who was in the Olympics last year as a long jumper, said before the Combine that he thought he could break Johnson’s record.

The NFL releases the official times after all of the receivers have run their 40-yard dashes. Austin and Goodwin will prove to be among the fastest ever to run in Indianapolis.

[Ace Gunner]

hooray for the lil people

[RyFo18]

Unfortunately, we're just at a spot in the draft where it will be tough to get Austin, unless they move mountains to trade back into the 1st.

[cdcox]

I don't ever remember looking at McCluster and thinking he was especially fast.

[RyFo18]

Originally Posted by cdcox

I don't ever remember looking at McCluster and thinking he was especially fast.

He was like a 4.55. Austin is McCluster w/ a cheetah taped to his back.

[mcaj22]

for all the people wanting to trade picks for Harvin or Maclin, Austin is essentially that player. You just draft him instead of giving picks to another team and having to pay a huge contract.

this guy will clearly be legit in the NFL. it is so ****ing obvious

[Fairplay]

west virginia players have bad teeth

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by cdcox

I don't ever remember looking at McCluster and thinking he was especially fast.

because he's not


He's quick, not fast ... or elusive tbh.


Tavon Austin is fast,quick,elusive AND a wide receiver.

DmC is still learning the WR position