'18 FL WR Kevin Austin (Notre Dame Signee)

[Irish#1]

Hansen also said he sees Austin as "leaning' to declaring for the draft. Grade notwithstanding. My take: he thinks he's better than they do and wants to prove it.

NFL graveyard is filled with these guys.

The problem in proving yourself as an UDFA is the amount of reps are extremely limited so you better shine brightly in those opportunities.

 

[Irishize]

NFL graveyard is filled with these guys.

The problem in proving yourself as an UDFA is the amount of reps are extremely limited so you better shine brightly in those opportunities.

Allen Lazard has been able to do this but you’re correct…most don’t. Lazard was heavily coveted by ND coming out of HS before landing at his hometown school Iowa St. Probably the biggest recruit in their history. He could’ve used one more season, too; but his final season created more impressive film than Austin and he still didn’t get drafted.

 

[pumpdog20]

Allen Lazard has been able to do this but you’re correct…most don’t. Lazard was heavily coveted by ND coming out of HS before landing at his hometown school Iowa St. Probably the biggest recruit in their history. He could’ve used one more season, too; but his final season created more impressive film than Austin and he still didn’t get drafted.

Allen Lazard had no eligibility left.

 

[Irishize]

Allen Lazard had no eligibility left.

My mistake. I could’ve sworn he had one year left. Kid was a stud…still is.

 

[NDRock]

Feel like Lazed is a better athlete. Bigger and faster. Austin is good but don’t think he’s an elite athlete. Guys can overcome some of their faults when they have elite athleticism, doesn’t seem like Austin can be one of those. He needs another year of college.

 

[IrishLax]

From what Prister has said, I believe this is the correct take. Could go NFL, could transfer elsewhere, but I’m not expecting him back at the moment

Most close to the situation seem to think that he "toughed it out" at ND, and that if you were putting odds on where he'll be next year it's like:
60% - enter the draft
25% - transfer somewhere for a fresh start and maybe some NIL money
15% - return for another year

15% ain't terrible but the bottom line is that Freeman is basically going to have to sit down with every key WR over the next month and do a sales job of why ND is the best thing for them versus Option B. I don't think he will go 0/4. I think he needs to go at least 2/4 or ND is in some deep shit.

 

[SBirishlawyer]

Allen Lazard has been able to do this but you’re correct…most don’t. Lazard was heavily coveted by ND coming out of HS before landing at his hometown school Iowa St. Probably the biggest recruit in their history. He could’ve used one more season, too; but his final season created more impressive film than Austin and he still didn’t get drafted.

Lazard made two bad decisions then got lucky.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

15% ain't terrible but the bottom line is that Freeman is basically going to have to sit down with every key WR over the next month and do a sales job of why ND is the best thing for them versus Option B. I don't think he will go 0/4. I think he needs to go at least 2/4 or ND is in some deep shit.

That's just objectively true for every WR on our roster though. I know 18-21yos don't always make objective well-informed decisions based on what's in their best interest, but it's not like we're just pulling on heart-strings here. And Freeman is a great salesman, so he's gotta have better odds than that.

 

[Irishbounty28]

The good thing about recruiting kids to stick around and play another year in the program is they have already chosen ND. You just to have to remind them why they made the decision in the first place.

 

[Irishize]

Lazard made two bad decisions then got lucky.

I think him being an exceptionally elite athlete had a lot to do with it.

 

[Irishize]

The good thing about recruiting kids to stick around and play another year in the program is they have already chosen ND. You just to have to remind them why they made the decision in the first place.

Agreed but I’m sure the degree was one of the main reasons he chose ND and he has accomplished that. That may have been what kept him from transferring after his suspension & injuries. Now he sees the light at the end of the tunnel. Plus, we don’t know what he thinks about playing in that offense when Buchner is the starter.

 

[IrishFanForever23]

Loy and Singer reporting he’s likely headed to draft.

 

[dad4aa]

Loy and Singer reporting he’s likely headed to draft.

Likely headed to UDFA

 

[benneboy]

Loy and Singer reporting he’s likely headed to draft.

Man alive. Freeman having to handle some serious challenges his first few weeks on the job.

 

[yankeehater]

Likely headed to UDFA

Totally. Just watch the bowl games. The kid from Ohio State is 1000% better (and he was their #3). Heck, so is the WR from Utah. ND has not had a good track record with WR's going to the league in the last 10 years and the current group will not change that at all.

 

[NDRock]

Good luck to Austin. He will probably go down as one of the bigger disappointments to me. Mostly from all the hyped practice reports we got through the years. Pretty evident those were mainly due to our poor secondary during his time here.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

UDFA. Good luck Kevin

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

This is Davaris Daniels all over again.
Enjoy the CFL

 

[AlaskanIrish]

If true, I can't see the logic in this. Maybe I'm naive. Regardless, very best of luck to him!

 

[yankeehater]

This is Davaris Daniels all over again.
Enjoy the CFL

I don't like bashing kids on message boards, but who is advising them.

I hope we are wrong on this one and he goes on to a very successful NFL career.

 

[stpeteirish]

I don't like bashing kids on message boards, but who is advising them.

I hope we are wrong on this one and he goes on to a very successful NFL career.

He's not listening to advice. He's thinks he's better than he's
showed. Seems pretty obvious to me. Confidence is important to an athlete. But who is going to develop him if he doesn't make a practice squad in 2022.

 

[Irish2155]

Loy and Singer reporting he’s likely headed to draft.

Lol. Ok, good luck with that. Hope it works out well for KA.

 

[Irishbounty28]

If he moves on I hope nothing but the best for the kid, in anything he does. Would love to have him next year though.

 

[Dale]

He's not listening to advice. He's thinks he's better than he's
showed. Seems pretty obvious to me. Confidence is important to an athlete. But who is going to develop him if he doesn't make a practice squad in 2022.

I don’t think that’s it at all. As posted above by various people, I just don’t think he wants to be at ND any longer. It has nothing to do with he thinks he’s better than he is

 

[ND88]

I don’t think that’s it at all. As posted above by various people, I just don’t think he wants to be at ND any longer. It has nothing to do with he thinks he’s better than he is

I agree with this. Not everyone falls in love with Notre Dame. It doesn't make him a bad person. I think he would be wise to come back, but then again, who is our receivers coach? His position coaching has been poor-to-adequate-at-best. I can see why he also might think he should take his shot at the league and hope someone will take him as a project. It rarely works out, but he has the raw tools.

Some of y'all are laughable for casting judgment and projections on him.

 

[irishandy]

I want to say I am surprised, but I am not. Like Dale said he probably has fulfilled his expectations at ND. Another year at ND would get him drafted.

 

[ND88]

I want to say I am surprised, but I am not. Like Dale said he probably has fulfilled his expectations at ND. Another year at ND would get him drafted.

You are most likely right about the bolded, but there are two factors that might lend some doubt in his mind about his experience at ND next year: (1) position coach and (2) quarterback. Maybe there is a shot Freeman approaches him with a plan/assurance about how to address both. We'll see.

 

[dad4aa]

Hopefully we hire a great WR coach and he changes his mind. Would be better for him and ND.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I don’t think that’s it at all. As posted above by various people, I just don’t think he wants to be at ND any longer. It has nothing to do with he thinks he’s better than he is

This

I think he's tired of being an amateur.... Dude got his degree I believe so can't be mad at him making this decision.. He's a grown ass man if that's what he wants to do it is what it is

 

[irishff1014]

This has been a weird recruit. We hear really good stuff all the time but than it never shows up on game day. He is probably lucky to be here this long with some of his off the field issues. I expected this to happen and I believe it’s best for both parties.