Marvin Austin

Marvin Austin Jr. (born January 10, 1989) is a former American football nose tackle. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.[1] He played college football at North Carolina.[2] Austin also played for the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.

Marvin Austin
Austin with the Denver Broncos
No. 96, 90, 58, 76
Position:Nose tackle
Personal information
Born: (1989-01-01) January 1, 1989
Washington, D. C.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:312 lb (142 kg)
Career information
High school:Washington (DC) Ballou
College:North Carolina
NFL Draft:2011 / Round: 2 / Pick: 52
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-ACC (2009)
  • Freshman All-American (2007)
  • First Team Freshman All-ACC Team (2007)
  • USA Today Defensive High School Player of the Year (2006)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:22
Sacks:0.0
Forced fumbles:0
Fumble recoveries:0
Player stats at NFL.com

High school career

A native of Washington, D. C., Austin chose to attend Coolidge High School in the Manor Park neighborhood, despite being courted by notable D. C. area athletic programs like DeMatha coming out of middle school.[3] As a junior in 2005, he helped Coolidge to the D. C. Interscholastic Athletic Association title game for the first time since 1986,[4] where they lost 43–14 to a Dunbar team that was led by Arrelious Benn, Nate Bussey, and Vontae Davis.[5] In the spring of 2006, Coolidge assistant Moses Ware was hired as the head coach at his alma mater Ballou High School in Congress Heights, and persuaded a number of rising seniors—including Austin—to leave Coolidge and play for him across town.[6] He led Ballou to their first DCIAA title in 2006, beating Dunbar 34–33. Austin contributed 85 tackles and 17 sacks, and was named High School All-Metro First Team by Washington Post for consecutive times (2005 and 2006).[2] Following his high school career, Austin played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[2] USA Today named him to their All-American first team, and also National Defensive Player of the Year.

Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Austin was ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the class of 2007, which also included Brian Price, Drake Nevis, and Star Lotulelei.[7] Austin was ranked third overall in the country in Scout.com's final rankings, behind only Everson Griffen and Joe McKnight.[8] He was recruited by numerous top programs around the country including Florida State, Southern California, and Tennessee. On National Signing Day 2007, Austin committed to play his collegiate ball at the North Carolina.[9]

College career
Austin receiving his nomination for the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in September 2006.

In his true freshman year at North Carolina, Austin played in all 12 season games and started in three. He finished the season with 26 tackles, 6.0 tackles for losses, and 4.0 sacks.

In 2008, Austin played in 13 games and started 11. He tied with E.J. Wilson for most tackles by a Carolina defensive lineman with 38, had 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception (returned for touchdown), and 1 blocked kick. He had three tackles, assisted on a tackle for loss and had one quarterback pressure in the win over Notre Dame, and earned coaches "player of the game" honors for his performance.

In his junior season, Austin was selected second-team All-ACC.[2] For the season, Austin finished with 42 tackles, 6.0 tackles for losses, four sacks, three pass breakups, six quarterback pressures, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.[2]

After an excellent junior season, Austin was viewed as a potential top-10 draft pick.[10] However, before he could build on his draft stock, he was suspended along with 13 other North Carolina players for receiving improper benefits.[10] Austin along with Tar Heels pass rusher Robert Quinn, receiver Greg Little and three others were suspended the entire 2010 season.[10] North Carolina still had enough talent to finish 8-5 and beat Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.[10]

See also: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football scandal

Even though he was dismissed from the UNC football team, Austin represented the school in the 2011 East-West Shrine Game on January 22, 2011. He scored a touchdown by recovering a fumble by Texas A&M Aggies' starting quarterback Jerrod Johnson 3 yards out of the endzone.

Austin came under heavy fire in the NFL draft process. Despite having a good East-West Shrine game, his character and judgment came under question to scouts. Reports of his skipping the Wonderlic test and finger-pointing in interviews reportedly disappointed some NFL personnel.[11]

On November 19, 2013, the University of North Carolina sent a disassociation letter to Austin, Greg Little, and Robert Quinn for the improper benefits taken during their time at the university. The three athletes are prohibited from contacting current North Carolina athletes and are not allowed inside the Kenan Football Center or other athletic facilities on campus.[12]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1 5⁄8 in
(1.87 m)		 309 lb
(140 kg)		 32 5⁄8 in
(0.83 m)		 10 1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		 4.90 s 1.73 s 2.81 s 4.40 s 7.33 s 30 1⁄2 in
(0.77 m)		 9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)		 38 reps
All values from NFL Combine[13]

New York Giants
"He’s a great kid. He works hard, he loves the game of football. I know he’s going to come to work hard. He’s definitely not (a bad person). He’s a guy that just goes after it on the football field. He loves the game. He likes playing it."[1]

Hakeem Nicks, former UNC teammate of Austin.

In the 2011 NFL Draft Austin was selected 52nd overall by the New York Giants.[14][1][15] Giants general manager Jerry Reese stated he consulted Austin's teammate at UNC Hakeem Nicks prior to the selection.[1][15] Austin said Nicks was the first person to call him after he was drafted.[15] Prior to the draft Austin was heavily scouted by the Chicago Bears.[16] Bears coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli visited Austin and "spent a goodly amount of time with him."[16]

On August 22, Austin's season was cut short as he tore his pectoral muscle during a preseason game against the Bears. He was placed on injured reserve on August 30.

Austin saw his first appearance come in the Giants' second game of the 2012 NFL season, when the Giants played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[17][18]

Miami Dolphins

He was signed to the Miami Dolphins' roster on September 24, 2013. He was released on October 15, 2013.[19]

Dallas Cowboys

On October 21, 2013, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys.[20] He made his Cowboys debut in the 30–31 loss to the Detroit Lions in week 8, registering one tackle. Due to a back injury inflicted during practice, Austin missed the Cowboys' next game against the Minnesota Vikings, and was cut two days later, on November 5, 2013.[21]

Denver Broncos

Austin signed with the Denver Broncos on May 5, 2014.[22]

References
  1. "Giants' Hakeem Nicks says draftee Marvin Austin is a 'great kid'". The Star-Ledger. 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  2. "Player Bio Marvin Austin - NORTH CAROLINA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". University of North Carolina. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  3. "Marvin Austin puts UNC agent scandal behind him". Washington Post. April 25, 2011.
  4. Sports Illustrated for Kids, February 2007
  5. "Name the All-Time DMV Football Champion". USA Today. July 12, 2013. Archived from the original on August 21, 2013.
  6. "Transfer of Power: For Coolidge football, it's subtraction by subtraction". Washington City Paper. September 8, 2006.
  7. Rivals.com defensive tackles 2007
  8. Scout 300: Scout.com College Football Team Recruiting Prospects
  9. "Highly rated prospect Marvin Austin picks North Carolina". USA Today. February 8, 2007.
  10. Mark Gaughan (2011). "Carolina's Austin trying to open eyes after suspension". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  11. "Character assessments shape NFL success". Pro Football Weekly. 2011-04-11. Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  12. "UNC severs ties with Austin, Little, Quinn". The News & Observer. 2013-11-19. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016.
  13. "NFL Events Combine Player Profiles - Marvin Austin". NFL.com. March 4, 2011.
  14. "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  15. "New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks on Marvin Austin 'A good addition'". ESPN New York. 2011-05-06. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  16. "Bears have researched Marvin Austin". NFL Nation Blog. ESPN. 2011-04-21. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  17. "Marvin Austin will play first meaningful game since 2009 | ProFootballTalk". Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  18. Tom Rock. "Prince Amukamara still sitting, Marvin Austin gets in the game". Newsday.com. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  19. Kelly, Omar (2013-10-15). "Dolphins release defensive tackle". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  20. Adam Schefter [@AdamSchefter] (21 October 2013). "Cowboys signed former Dolphins and Giants DT Marvin Austin" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. "Cowboys waive Marvin Austin". ESPN. November 5, 2013.
  22. David Smith, Michael. "Broncos add talented draft disappointment Marvin Austin". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
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