'18 FL WR Kevin Austin (Notre Dame Signee)

[GoldenAura]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1477722603393409028?s=20[/TWEET]

 

[BeauBenken]

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.

He had multiple season ending injuries. Off the field issues?

 

[NDPhilly]

Dumb decision. He’s not athletic enough to get separation on the college level and hasn’t been physical enough to consistently win contested balls. I don’t think he’s going to stick but I guess we’ll see.

At least he played the bowl game.

 

[Irishbounty28]

Funny thing is he has the second most productive single season of all ND wide receivers over the last 5 seasons. First is Claylool. No wonder WR’s aren’t chomping at the bit to come to ND. If he is invited and produces at the combine he will be a late round pick IMO. If he is a combine freak, a la Boykin, his stock could skyrocket.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Why knock a kid for chasing his dreams if he thinks he is ready then so be it. The bears could use him

 

[Irishnuke]

I hope he does well and kills it in the NFL, but I just don't see it happening. If he wanted out of ND that badly he could have transferred somewhere for a year.

 

[Irishnuke]

He had multiple season ending injuries. Off the field issues?

He was suspended for 4 games in 2019.

 

[Irishize]

I respect him for accomplishing his degree and for betting on himself as he transitions to the next level. Best of luck to the young man.

 

[irish o'phile]

a lot of talk about Kevin, but if all the WRs want to leave, is the problem the players or the program?

 

[ND88]

a lot of talk about Kevin, but if all the WRs want to leave, is the problem the players or the program?

I think you have some “old” guys (Austin and Lenzy) who have had maturity issues in the past who haven’t quite panned out when compared to expectations. The difference in careers between them and Avery Davis has been maturity and expectations. Davis was recruited as a QB, but has been team first and willing to do anything to make the club better and to see quality time. Both Austin and Lenzy are NFL minded guys, but have had relatively underwhelming and inconsistent careers. They have been trending upward and have shown growth in maturity, but there are still many aspects to their game that need improvement. If it is a “program” issue, it’s likely more them wanting something different. Youngsters like Lorenzo have seen increased productivity. If he leaves or Colzie leaves, I would be concerned about the program.

 

[ThePiombino]

Terrible decision, if true. Hope he can be persuaded by reason, but prolly not.

 

[SBirishlawyer]

I got nothing…but gonna pop off at the mouth anyways. He made bad decisions and fucked up from the moment he got here. He is leaving with a prestigious degree. That is good enough. He came out ahead in the bargain. His decisions put him in this position. Notre Dame gave him what they promised, a world class degree and an opportunity. He pissed it away a half dozen times and yet he is probably offered one last chance that would be mutually beneficial. Davaris Daniels was an apt comparison. If he doesn’t take it at some point you did all you could and it is time to let go with a proper Fuck him period.

 

[SBirishlawyer]

PS we had a recent dog and baby murdered matriculate through on the Kelly years so lets stop jock sniffing and pretend these are all fine humble godly men. These people are given a quarter million dollar present none of us got because they can run fast or jump high or are just real damn big. Over 90% of them graduate and reward us for giving them education for some inexplicable reason related to athletic prowess. But lets stop lionizing the fuck ups.

 

[Dale]

I got nothing…but gonna pop off at the mouth anyways. He made bad decisions and fucked up from the moment he got here. He is leaving with a prestigious degree. That is good enough. He came out ahead in the bargain. His decisions put him in this position. Notre Dame gave him what they promised, a world class degree and an opportunity. He pissed it away a half dozen times and yet he is probably offered one last chance that would be mutually beneficial. Davaris Daniels was an apt comparison. If he doesn’t take it at some point you did all you could and it is time to let go with a proper Fuck him period.

What bad decisions did he make in 2018? 2020? Going into this year? Good grief I think some of you imagine Austin was suspended for 3 straight years for some reason. Davaris left during the period of his suspension. Austin didn’t. Austin returned and gave us the best deep threat we’ve had since Claypool. So no Davaris Daniels is not an apt comparison. No he didn’t fuck up from the beginning. No he didn’t piss away things. **** this post.

 

[ND88]

PS we had a recent dog and baby murdered matriculate through on the Kelly years so lets stop jock sniffing and pretend these are all fine humble godly men. These people are given a quarter million dollar present none of us got because they can run fast or jump high or are just real damn big. Over 90% of them graduate and reward us for giving them education for some inexplicable reason related to athletic prowess. But lets stop lionizing the fuck ups.

First of all, I agree that he should come back, because his development here could benefit him and us. I also know you're a passionate fan of Notre Dame, but your characterization is off. Austin is not the right guy to pick on here. I would argue he showed a lot of growth after making some very public mistakes. He suffered some bad injuries also, but put his head down and just worked. I think he had a solid season this year and did some good things throughout. I saw a young man trying to do his job and move on from his past mistakes. We also got to hear more from him in the press, and he represented the University well. These young guys have families they are all trying to make proud at home. They have goals and dreams too. If he wants to make a go at the NFL, I don't see the need to criminalize his choice and vilify him for doing it.

 

[T-Boone]

I think he should come back. But he is probably in a hurry to get some good coaching and be able to work full time on catching the ball and getting strong and fast etc.

 

[NDVirginia19]

I think it would be more deserving of grief if he was leaving as a Junior. I think it's a bad decision but I'm not really up in arms about it. It obviously will hurt the team next year but it's not like the team is owed anything from him.

 

[Armyirish47]

Terrible decision, if true. Hope he can be persuaded by reason, but prolly not.

I thought so at first to, but I think I've changed my mind. He has his degree (presumably), he just put up pretty solid numbers that realistically aren't going to get much higher next year with Styles and Mayer around, so what does he really gain with another year? Does a 60 catch season move the needle for the NFL? Is a year of grad school that valuable? He has already had a couple of injuries derail him so why not roll the dice on himself a year younger than he would be next year.

I appreciate him sticking it out for as long as he did, solid player that will either go down as somewhat inspirational or a cautionary tale.

 

[ThePiombino]

I thought so at first to, but I think I've changed my mind. He has his degree (presumably), he just put up pretty solid numbers that realistically aren't going to get much higher next year with Styles and Mayer around, so what does he really gain with another year? Does a 60 catch season move the needle for the NFL? Is a year of grad school that valuable? He has already had a couple of injuries derail him so why not roll the dice on himself a year younger than he would be next year.

I appreciate him sticking it out for as long as he did, solid player that will either go down as somewhat inspirational or a cautionary tale.

The thing is it's not just about stats. It's more about technique and not disappearing 1-2 games at a clip. He's inconsistent. He won't last a cup of coffee at this rate.

 

[Armyirish47]

The thing is it's not just about stats. It's more about technique and not disappearing 1-2 games at a clip. He's inconsistent. He won't last a cup of coffee at this rate.

Agreed but if you are him you have to ask yourself, where will I get the best teaching about technique and what not, is it with a WR coach TBD or do I stand a better chance working my tail off for an NFL team or two a year earlier than otherwise?

I want him to stay but I'm not going to kill him for leaving, he put in his 4 years and for that, I am thankful.

 

[ThePiombino]

Agreed but if you are him you have to ask yourself, where will I get the best teaching about technique and what not, is it with a WR coach TBD or do I stand a better chance working my tail off for an NFL team or two a year earlier than otherwise?

I want him to stay but I'm not going to kill him for leaving, he put in his 4 years and for that, I am thankful.

The answer to that question is college. 100%. You think a UDFA invite to training camp is going to get better coaching than the #1 WR at a tier I P5 college program??

 

[irishandy]

If he doesn't have his degree in hand I would be more upset...best of luck Kevin and prove many people wrong.

 

[BeauBenken]

So Austin serves a four game suspension three years ago for smoking pot and people are going to assume that he's a terrible person?

If the guy wants to declare for the draft, he is more than welcome to. I personally would like him to return but anybody using his desire to declare for the draft as a chance to shit on his character is a real piece of work.

 

[pumpdog20]

PS we had a recent dog and baby murdered matriculate through on the Kelly years so lets stop jock sniffing and pretend these are all fine humble godly men. These people are given a quarter million dollar present none of us got because they can run fast or jump high or are just real damn big. Over 90% of them graduate and reward us for giving them education for some inexplicable reason related to athletic prowess. But lets stop lionizing the fuck ups.

Da fuq? Calm down

 

[IrishLax]

Best of luck to him, glad he stuck it out.

 

[T-Boone]

So Austin serves a four game suspension three years ago for smoking pot and people are going to assume that he's a terrible person?

If the guy wants to declare for the draft, he is more than welcome to. I personally would like him to return but anybody using his desire to declare for the draft as a chance to shit on his character is a real piece of work.

I thought he missed the whole season his second year? Am I misremembering?

 

[Luckylucci]

It’s been trending this way since he initially declined foot surgery last year. Been saying it for awhile now.

 

[NDRock]

Da fuq? Calm down

I think some football player must have banged an ex-girlfriend of his. Dude seems angry.

 

[benneboy]

Best of luck to him, glad he stuck it out.

I have no beef with guys going early. Disappointed but not nearly the level I get with opt outs.

1 is a guy taking care of himself and his family. Another is a guy taking care of himself and his family at the expense of quitting his coaches, teammates, fans, and university at which he's getting paid to go to school.

Good luck KA!

 

[Armyirish47]

The answer to that question is college. 100%. You think a UDFA invite to training camp is going to get better coaching than the #1 WR at a tier I P5 college program??

I'm honestly not sure. We don't know who is going to be the coach but I would argue that Styles is going to be the # 1 WR and the coach is otherwise going to have to spend a TON of time integrating transfer guys, recruiting like their hair is on fire, getting Colzie, Thomas, et. al up to speed ASAP and a distant 5th or 6th working on technique with a 5 year senior. If someone like Skowronek (big ups!) can catch on I don't see why Austin can't at least get through an offseason with a team and most of preseason cuts which would amount to a lot of professional coaching.