 Austin with the Denver Broncos in 2014 | |||||
| No. 96, 90, 58, 76 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | (1989-01-01)January 1, 1989 (age 36) Washington, D.C., U.S. | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 312 lb (142 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Ballou (Washington, D.C.) | ||||
| College: | North Carolina | ||||
| NFL draft: | 2011: 2nd round, 52nd pick | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Marvin Austin Jr. (born January 1, 1989) is an American former professionalfootball player who was anose tackle in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theNorth Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by theNew York Giants in the second round of the2011 NFL draft. Austin also played for theMiami Dolphins,Dallas Cowboys andDenver Broncos.
A native ofWashington, D.C., Austin chose to attendCoolidge High School in theManor Park neighborhood, despite being courted by notableD.C. area athletic programs likeDeMatha coming out of middle school.[1] As a junior in 2005, he helped Coolidge to theD.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association title game for the first time since 1986,[2] where they lost 43–14 to aDunbar team that was led byArrelious Benn,Nate Bussey, andVontae Davis.[3] In the spring of 2006, Coolidge assistant Moses Ware was hired as the head coach at his alma materBallou High School inCongress Heights, and persuaded a number of rising seniors—including Austin—to leave Coolidge and play for him across town.[4] 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 byWashington Post for consecutive times (2005 and 2006).[5] Following his high school career, Austin played in the 2007U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[5]USA Today named him to their All-American first-team, and also National Defensive Player of the Year.
Regarded as a five-star recruit byRivals.com, Austin was ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the class of 2007, which also includedBrian Price,Drake Nevis, andStar Lotulelei.[6] Austin was ranked third overall in the country in Scout.com's final rankings, behind onlyEverson Griffen andJoe McKnight.[7] He was recruited by numerous top programs around the country includingFlorida State,Southern California, andTennessee. OnNational Signing Day 2007, Austin committed to play his collegiate ball at theNorth Carolina.[8]
In histrue 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.[5] 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.[5]
After an excellent junior season, Austin was viewed as a potential top-10 draft pick.[9] However, before he could build on his draft stock, he was suspended along with 13 other North Carolina players for receiving improper benefits.[9] Austin along with Tar Heels pass rusherRobert Quinn, receiverGreg Little and three others were suspended the entire 2010 season.[9] North Carolina still had enough talent to finish 8-5 and beat Tennessee in theMusic City Bowl.[9]
Even though he was dismissed from the UNC football team, Austin represented the school in the2011 East-West Shrine Game on January 22, 2011. He scored a touchdown by recovering a fumble byTexas A&M Aggies' starting quarterbackJerrod 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.[10]
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 theKenan Football Center or other athletic facilities on campus.[11]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft1+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 fromNFL Combine[12] | ||||||||||||
In the2011 NFL draft Austin was selected 52nd overall by the New York Giants.[13][14][15] Giants general managerJerry Reese stated he consulted Austin's teammate at UNCHakeem Nicks prior to the selection.[14][15] Austin said Nicks was the first person to call him after he was selected.[15] Prior to the draft Austin was heavily scouted by theChicago Bears.[16] Bears coachLovie Smith anddefensive coordinatorRod 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 hispectoral muscle during a preseason game against the Bears. He was placed on injured reserve on August 30.
On August 24, 2013, Austin sacked Jets quarterbackMark Sanchez in the 4th quarter of a pre-season game, which effectively ended Sanchez's Jets career.[17]
Austin saw his first appearance come in the Giants' second game of the2012 NFL season, when the Giants played theTampa Bay Buccaneers.[18][19]
He was signed to theMiami Dolphins' roster on September 24, 2013. He was released on October 15, 2013.[20]
On October 21, 2013, he was signed by theDallas Cowboys.[21] He made his Cowboys debut in the 30–31 loss to theDetroit Lions in week 8, registering one tackle. Due to a back injury suffered during practice, Austin missed the Cowboys' next game against theMinnesota Vikings, and was cut two days later, on November 5, 2013.[22]
Austin signed with theDenver Broncos on May 5, 2014.[23]
