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."

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

I'd be for taking him at 34 provided we've got our QB

[Easy 6]

5'8 175? unless this guy is a LOCK to be the next Steve Smith, i'm really not going to be interested.

We already have a guy who's good at getting lost in a crowd of much bigger players.

[Setsuna]

According to Mayock it's Warmack. Fail Austin. Fail.

[mcaj22]

i really dont want another fucking midget on the team,

but god damn if this dude isnt fast and we need all the speed we can get, because McCluster is slow as quicksand and this guy is basically the anti-midget McCluster

[Micjones]

I'd love to have Austin. That kid is electric.

[jspchief]

Luxury pick.

This team has too many needs to be using 2.2 on a slot receiver. It's McCluster all over again, albeit with a better version.

[HoneyBadger]

Well shit, if he says so....

[Mr. Laz]

Austin is a guy who stands to win/lose a lot at the combine.

He looks great on film but needs some help in the measurables.


He needs run a fast 40 and show great quickness in the drills.

[O.city]

Luxury pick.

This team has too many needs to be using 2.2 on a slot receiver. It's McCluster all over again, albeit with a better version.

This all over again and this.


There are going to be some really really damn good CB's available, we need a CB. Same with ILB's.

[Molitoth]

We don't need Austin, but it sure would be nice to have him.

It would've been cooler if he said he was the next best player other than Geno Smith, but I suppose Geno hasn't said anything about Austin either. I'd like to see them promote each other more.

[BossChief]

4.4 40
4flat shuttle

He gets those, he will have a chance to go in the first.

[suds79]

Of the college football I watched, never saw a bigger impact/playmaker than Austin this year.

He's Desean Jackson type of special IMO.

[saphojunkie]

The funny thing is that once we get to pick 34, I think taking a QB is irresponsible. There are too many good players there.

The best value is going QB high and then having the chance to pick first round talent guys that slip to the top of the second like Austin.


Of the college football I watched, never saw a bigger impact/playmaker than Austin this year.

He's Desean Jackson type of special IMO.

I think more and more people will think this when looking at Reid. Pair him with his QB and speed along their adjustment...

[tony77]

5'8 175? unless this guy is a LOCK to be the next Steve Smith, i'm really not going to be interested.

We already have a guy who's good at getting lost in a crowd of much bigger players.

Well it only matters if the chiefs are interested.

[Mr. Laz]

Luxury pick.

This team has too many needs to be using 2.2 on a slot receiver. It's McCluster all over again, albeit with a better version.
not it's not ... He is not McCluster at all

Just because both guys are small doesn't mean they are the same.

Austin is FAST, DmC is quick
Austin is a WR that is elusive enough to be used at RB/KR
DmC is not a natural WR and is not elusive at all


Austin is an impact type guy, DmC is just a quick/tough guy who is learning to be a WR.

[suds79]

Luxury pick.

I never consider playmakers luxury picks. And this guy is the best playmaker in the draft.

These are the type of players who do things to win you games.

[Mr. Laz]

Published: Feb. 23, 2013 at 07:54 p.m. | 3,292 Views
02:00 – Marshall Faulk thinks University of West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin is Wes Welker and Percy Harvin rolled into one. Can the prospect make an immediate impact in the NFL?

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Austin is nothing like McCluster.

McCluster's speed score, which factored his size in with his 40 was the worst of the entire combine, and no player in NFL history with his speed score ever amounted to anything. The best was Aaron Stecker, who was always a #3 RB/mediocre KR.

Austin is fast as hell.

[Sorter]

Published: Feb. 23, 2013 at 07:54 p.m. | 3,292 Views
02:00 – Marshall Faulk thinks University of West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin is Wes Welker and Percy Harvin rolled into one. Can the prospect make an immediate impact in the NFL?

Yup. Welker 2.0, if you will.

[mcaj22]

just ****ing draft this guy

this weekend proved hes going to be pretty good, it's an obvious safe pick that you are going to get talent and production out of him somehow.

[Priest31kc]

Geno + Tavon = JIMP

[BlackHelicopters]

Fast and tiny. Didn't we pull this shit under Pioli with DMC?

[htismaqe]

If this guy continues to impress, I'm gonna expect some apologies! :D

[mcaj22]

Fast and tiny. Didn't we pull this shit under ***** with DMC?

the only thing he has in common with DMC is size.


McCluster is not fast. Tavon Austin is FAST.

comparisons to Darren Sproles, Percy Harvin, Wes Welker. You take this guy if there is no QB you like. He has "it"

[Strongside]

Man, if this dude is still there in the 2nd he'd be a great pick up. Especially if we get Geno.

[mcaj22]

hes definitely going in the first round.

[WV]

Geno + Tavon = JIMP

This!

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

ROFL Oh how one day changes everything. I told you!!!!!!!

[Prison Bitch]

Luxury pick.

This team has too many needs to be using 2.2 on a slot receiver. It's McCluster all over again, albeit with a better version.

This.

[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]

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 fucking obvious

[Fairplay]

west virginia players have bad teeth

[Mr. Laz]

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