Tavon Austin Career Stats A Look at the Electrifying WRs Journey - Dakota Roughley

Tavon Austin Career Stats A Look at the Electrifying WRs Journey

Tavon Austin’s College Career

Tavon austin career stats
Tavon Austin was a dynamic and explosive player during his time at West Virginia University. His electrifying speed and versatility made him one of the most exciting players in college football, and he left a lasting impact on the Mountaineers’ program.

Tavon Austin’s Notable Achievements and Awards

Austin’s accomplishments at West Virginia earned him recognition and accolades.

  • Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2012): This award acknowledged Austin’s exceptional offensive contributions during the 2012 season.
  • Consensus All-American (2012): Austin was selected as an All-American by multiple major organizations, signifying his status as one of the nation’s top players.
  • Paul Hornung Award (2012): This award recognizes the most versatile player in college football, a testament to Austin’s ability to excel in multiple roles.
  • Biletnikoff Award (2012): Awarded to the nation’s top receiver, this honor highlighted Austin’s exceptional receiving skills and impact on the game.

Tavon Austin’s Statistical Performance, Tavon austin career stats

Austin’s statistics showcase his explosive playmaking abilities and impact on the field.

  • Rushing Yards: Austin accumulated 2,046 rushing yards, averaging 5.7 yards per carry, demonstrating his speed and elusiveness.
  • Receiving Yards: With 2,888 receiving yards, Austin showcased his receiving prowess and ability to make big plays.
  • Touchdowns: He scored a total of 34 touchdowns, highlighting his ability to find the endzone consistently.

Comparison to Other Notable College Football Players

Austin’s impact and performance were comparable to other standout players from the same era. He possessed a similar skillset and explosiveness to players like:

  • De’Anthony Thomas (Oregon): Both players were known for their versatility and ability to make big plays in both the running and receiving game.
  • Sammy Watkins (Clemson): Watkins, like Austin, was a highly-touted receiver known for his speed and big-play potential.

Tavon Austin’s NFL Draft and Early Career

Tavon austin rams
Tavon Austin’s electrifying college career at West Virginia made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft. His explosive speed, agility, and versatility as a receiver, returner, and even a potential running back, drew comparisons to the legendary DeSean Jackson. The St. Louis Rams, looking for a dynamic playmaker to inject excitement into their offense, selected Austin with the eighth overall pick.

Initial Performance and Role Expectations

Austin’s initial years in the NFL were marked by flashes of brilliance but also inconsistencies. He quickly showcased his explosiveness, setting a Rams franchise record for the longest punt return touchdown (89 yards) in his rookie season. His speed and elusiveness made him a threat to score every time he touched the ball, particularly on special teams. The Rams envisioned Austin as a versatile weapon who could create big plays in various ways, but his role in the offense was initially unclear.

  • While he was primarily used as a slot receiver, his speed and agility were also seen as assets in the running game, and the Rams experimented with him as a running back and even a Wildcat quarterback at times.
  • However, his small stature (5’8″, 174 lbs) and lack of traditional receiver size raised concerns about his ability to handle a larger workload and consistently win against bigger defenders.
  • His early career was also hampered by injuries and a perceived lack of polish in his route running and ball-catching skills.

Challenges and Early Career Struggles

Austin’s initial years were marked by inconsistency and struggles to fully capitalize on his potential. His small frame and lack of prototypical receiver size led to difficulties against bigger defenders. His route running and ball-catching skills were also areas that needed improvement.

  • Austin’s explosiveness and elusiveness were evident, but he struggled to translate those skills into consistent production.
  • He also battled injuries, which further limited his playing time and hampered his development.
  • The Rams’ offensive system under then-head coach Jeff Fisher did not always utilize his skills effectively.

Tavon Austin’s Career Progression and Impact: Tavon Austin Career Stats

Tavon austin career stats
Tavon Austin’s NFL career was marked by flashes of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency. He transitioned from a dynamic playmaker in college to a versatile weapon in the NFL, but never quite lived up to the expectations that came with being a top-10 draft pick. Despite this, he left a lasting impact on the league, demonstrating the potential of a player who could be used in multiple ways.

Teams and Career Trajectory

Tavon Austin played for four different teams during his NFL career, experiencing both success and challenges in different roles and systems.

  • St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2013-2017): Austin was drafted by the Rams with the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact, returning a punt for a touchdown in his first game and showcasing his explosiveness as a receiver and runner. Austin’s most productive season came in 2015, when he caught 58 passes for 514 yards and four touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to be a valuable weapon in the Rams’ offense. However, he struggled with consistency and injuries, and his role gradually diminished over the years.
  • Dallas Cowboys (2018): After being traded to the Cowboys in 2018, Austin was expected to provide a spark to their offense. He played in 12 games and had 17 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown, but he was mostly a role player in Dallas’s run-heavy offense.
  • San Francisco 49ers (2018): After being released by the Cowboys, Austin was signed by the 49ers, but he was only on the team for a short time and didn’t play in any games.
  • Buffalo Bills (2019): In 2019, Austin signed with the Bills, but his time there was also brief, and he was released before the start of the season.

Key Highlights and Memorable Moments

Tavon Austin’s career was filled with electrifying plays and memorable moments.

  • First NFL Touchdown: In his first NFL game, Austin returned a punt for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. This showcased his explosiveness and ability to make big plays in the return game.
  • Longest Punt Return Touchdown in Rams History: In 2014, Austin returned a punt 98 yards for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks, setting a new franchise record for the Rams. This play was a testament to his speed and elusiveness.
  • 100-Yard Kickoff Return for a Touchdown: In 2013, Austin returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts, showcasing his explosive return ability.

Performance in Different Roles

Tavon Austin was a versatile player who was used in various roles throughout his career.

  • Wide Receiver: Austin was primarily a wide receiver, and he showed flashes of brilliance as a route runner and pass catcher. However, he struggled with consistency and dropped passes, which limited his overall effectiveness.
  • Running Back: Austin was also used as a running back, and he was effective in this role due to his speed and agility. He was able to make big plays as a runner, but he was not a traditional workhorse back.
  • Return Specialist: Austin was a dynamic return specialist, and he was one of the most dangerous players in the league in this role. He had multiple touchdown returns, including a 100-yard kickoff return, and his ability to make big plays in the return game was a valuable asset to his teams.

Impact on Teams and the League

Tavon Austin’s impact on the teams he played for and the league as a whole was mixed.

  • St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams: Austin was a valuable weapon for the Rams, and he provided a spark to their offense. However, he was never able to live up to the expectations that came with being a top-10 draft pick, and his inconsistency and injuries limited his impact.
  • Dallas Cowboys: Austin was a role player for the Cowboys, and he did not have a significant impact on their offense.
  • League-Wide Impact: Austin’s explosiveness and versatility made him a threat on every play. He showed the league that a player with his skill set could be a valuable asset in multiple roles.

Tavon austin career stats – Tavon Austin’s career stats are pretty impressive, especially considering his electrifying speed and agility. But to really understand how he dominated the college game, you gotta check out tavon austin wvu highlights. Those highlight reels are pure fire, showcasing his insane ability to break tackles and leave defenders in the dust.

Seeing him in action at WVU really makes you appreciate his career stats even more.

Tavon Austin’s career stats might not show the full impact he had on the field, especially during his time at West Virginia. To see his explosive plays, check out tavon austin wvu highlights. Those highlights are what made him a standout player and a fan favorite, and it’s what many remember him for even after his NFL career.

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