Tavon Austin: College Stud, NFL Bust

Tavon Austin was the epitome of the college football star. Playing for the West Virginia Mountaineers, Austin put up jaw-dropping stats in the second half of his college career, vaulting him into conversations of the first round in the 2013 NFL Draft. Austin would post over 3,400 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in 52 college games. He would add over 1,000 rushing yards and almost 3,000 return yards in those four years. By all means an all-world talent.

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The Rams took notice leading up to draft night and traded up from the 16th spot with the Buffalo Bills to select Austin eighth-overall in the first round. So far, Austin has been a bust.

As a rookie, Austin struggled to find chemistry with quarterback Sam Bradford. He also seemed lost in former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s scheme. A scheme that is noted, and often criticized, for it’s simplicity. Austin played in 13 games his rookie year, hauling in 40 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns. These are hardly impact-player numbers. He would play in 15 games last year with a little more experience under his belt, but couldn’t manage to improve on his poor numbers from 2013. For his encore, Austin posted 31 catches for an anemic 242 yards and not one touchdown.

Nov 30, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) drops a punt return during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis defeated Oakland 52-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The lone bright spot in this mess has been his return ability. Austin has shined occasionally during kick and punt returns. He returned a punt 98 yards for a touchdown as a rookie and returned another 78 yards for a score last year. Unfortunately, these are the only notable contributions he has brought to the Rams since being drafted.

Austin has not preformed as well as his college teammate, Stedman Bailey, who the Rams drafted the same year as Austin but in the third round. Austin is looking more and more like a college stud turned bust in the NFL. Coming from an air-it-out type offensive scheme in college where his speed and natural ability allowed him an edge over lesser talented players. His undersized frame of 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, is a disadvantage at the next level.

Currently, most NFL personnel liken him to Devin Hester, Darren Sproles or De’Anthony Thomas. All very good return specialists, but struggle to find regular roles in their offense. Austin, while he may turn out to be an exceptional returner, will continue to struggle in the Rams offense. While a return artist, especially one as flashy as those listed above, can be invaluable, no kick/punt returner is worth the eighth-overall pick in the draft. St. Louis dropped the ball on this one.