'18 FL WR Kevin Austin (Notre Dame Signee)

[ulukinatme]

I'm glad he's deciding to leave, although between Austin and Lenzy I would have rather had Austin stick around or neither...even as empty as the WR room is. I just don't think these two are the ones that we need at WR and I don't think another year would have changed anything. Every stinging drop or incompletion where they failed to beat their guy I can't help think they're holding this offense back. You can't just disappear for half a football game or more as a starter. Maybe the next WR coach can finally unlock Lenzy's potential, but I'm not getting my hopes up given it's year 5 for him. I'd rather have Styles, Colzie, and Merriweather/AD or even Tyree out there at this point.

I wish him well going forward, I hope he knocks it out of the park at the next level, but I'm looking forward to seeing the freshmen/sophomores more at WR next year.

 

[arrowryan]

One of the more questionable decisions I’ve seen in a long time, when it comes to declaring early.

There are a hundred Kevin Austin’s in the NFL. Nothing about his game separates himself from other players. I hope he knows that there are DBs much better than Sauce Gardner at the next level.

 

[Irish#1]

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.

1. I think he's wrong, given the eye test., but he gets to make the decision.
2. I also think he should have waited to find out who the new receivers coach is going to be.
3. UDFA's get very little in terms of reps, so he better shine when those few opportunities pop up.
4. Given the quick announcement, it's obvious he came to this decision a while ago, so there's probably no changing his mind.

 

[Dale]

One of the more questionable decisions I’ve seen in a long time, when it comes to declaring early.

There are a hundred Kevin Austin’s in the NFL. Nothing about his game separates himself from other players. I hope he knows that there are DBs much better than Sauce Gardner at the next level.

He’s not declaring early. Returning would be staying an extra year.

 

[Dale]

BK Era Single Season Wide Receiver Ranks

• 2015 Will Fuller: 62 catches, 1258 yards, 20.29 YPC, 14 TDs
• 2014 Will Fuller: 76 catches, 1094 yards, 14.39 YPC, 15 TDs
• 2019 Chase Claypool: 66 catches, 1037 yards, 15.71 YPC, 13 TDs
• 2010 Michael Floyd: 79 catches, 1025 yards, 12.97 YPC, 12 TDs
• 2011 Michael Floyd: 100 catches, 1147 yards, 11.47 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2013 TJ Jones: 70 catches, 1108 yards, 15.83 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2016 EQ St. Brown: 58 catches, 961 yards, 16.57 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2021 Kevin Austin: 48 catches, 888 yards, 18.50 YPC, 7 TDs
• 2018 Miles Boykin: 59 catches, 872 yards, 14.78 YPC, 8 TDs
• 2013 Davaris Daniels: 49 catches, 745 yards, 15.20 YPC, 7 TDs

No one in the BK era returned for a 5th year after a good season if I’m remembering these correctly. The returnees were Junior - Senior returns or Sophomore - Junior. Austin 2nd in YPC behind only 2015 Will Fuller.

 

[rtrn2glory]

BK Era Single Season Wide Receiver Ranks

• 2015 Will Fuller: 62 catches, 1258 yards, 20.29 YPC, 14 TDs
• 2014 Will Fuller: 76 catches, 1094 yards, 14.39 YPC, 15 TDs
• 2019 Chase Claypool: 66 catches, 1037 yards, 15.71 YPC, 13 TDs
• 2010 Michael Floyd: 79 catches, 1025 yards, 12.97 YPC, 12 TDs
• 2011 Michael Floyd: 100 catches, 1147 yards, 11.47 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2013 TJ Jones: 70 catches, 1108 yards, 15.83 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2016 EQ St. Brown: 58 catches, 961 yards, 16.57 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2021 Kevin Austin: 48 catches, 888 yards, 18.50 YPC, 7 TDs
• 2018 Miles Boykin: 59 catches, 872 yards, 14.78 YPC, 8 TDs
• 2013 Davaris Daniels: 49 catches, 745 yards, 15.20 YPC, 7 TDs

No one in the BK era returned for a 5th year after a good season if I’m remembering these correctly. The returnees were Junior - Senior returns or Sophomore - Junior. Austin 2nd in YPC behind only 2015 Will Fuller.

Ahhhh 2015, the one that got away.

 

[ThePiombino]

BK Era Single Season Wide Receiver Ranks

• 2015 Will Fuller: 62 catches, 1258 yards, 20.29 YPC, 14 TDs
• 2014 Will Fuller: 76 catches, 1094 yards, 14.39 YPC, 15 TDs
• 2019 Chase Claypool: 66 catches, 1037 yards, 15.71 YPC, 13 TDs
• 2010 Michael Floyd: 79 catches, 1025 yards, 12.97 YPC, 12 TDs
• 2011 Michael Floyd: 100 catches, 1147 yards, 11.47 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2013 TJ Jones: 70 catches, 1108 yards, 15.83 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2016 EQ St. Brown: 58 catches, 961 yards, 16.57 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2021 Kevin Austin: 48 catches, 888 yards, 18.50 YPC, 7 TDs
• 2018 Miles Boykin: 59 catches, 872 yards, 14.78 YPC, 8 TDs
• 2013 Davaris Daniels: 49 catches, 745 yards, 15.20 YPC, 7 TDs

No one in the BK era returned for a 5th year after a good season if I’m remembering these correctly. The returnees were Junior - Senior returns or Sophomore - Junior. Austin 2nd in YPC behind only 2015 Will Fuller.

While not a 5th year, Floyd returned for his 4th year of eligibility if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[GoldenAura]

Ahhhh 2015, the one that got away.

Wish we could've seen that team without Vangorder.

 

[NDMatt91]

Wish we could've seen that team without Vangorder.

Or without all of the injuries. If we were healthy we would've beat Clemson and been undefeated heading into the CFP.

 

[Dale]

 

[JJRyan]

i wish the best for this young man. Teams like the Rams would be ideal. (They don't need a WR right away) Practice squad and then special teams for a year of two to reach his potential.

 

[ulukinatme]

BK Era Single Season Wide Receiver Ranks

• 2015 Will Fuller: 62 catches, 1258 yards, 20.29 YPC, 14 TDs
• 2014 Will Fuller: 76 catches, 1094 yards, 14.39 YPC, 15 TDs
• 2019 Chase Claypool: 66 catches, 1037 yards, 15.71 YPC, 13 TDs
• 2010 Michael Floyd: 79 catches, 1025 yards, 12.97 YPC, 12 TDs
• 2011 Michael Floyd: 100 catches, 1147 yards, 11.47 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2013 TJ Jones: 70 catches, 1108 yards, 15.83 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2016 EQ St. Brown: 58 catches, 961 yards, 16.57 YPC, 9 TDs
• 2021 Kevin Austin: 48 catches, 888 yards, 18.50 YPC, 7 TDs
• 2018 Miles Boykin: 59 catches, 872 yards, 14.78 YPC, 8 TDs
• 2013 Davaris Daniels: 49 catches, 745 yards, 15.20 YPC, 7 TDs

No one in the BK era returned for a 5th year after a good season if I’m remembering these correctly. The returnees were Junior - Senior returns or Sophomore - Junior. Austin 2nd in YPC behind only 2015 Will Fuller.

This is kind of a sad list for the last 11 seasons. We had three receivers that I would call elite, maybe four if you include TJ. Among those only two of them put together more than 1 season of great stats. I'm not sure if that's an indictment of our struggles with QBs, a lack of WR talent, or both? Maybe one has caused problems for the other and vis-versa. You look back to '05 under Weis we had not one, but two receivers over 1000 yards and nearly did it in 2006 too. 2007 was a different story, but we probably would have hit those numbers in '08 and '09 too if Floyd didn't get injured. That's was at least 5 elite receivers that had more than one season of high elite production in a 5 year span. We only managed to have 2 replicate that in 11 years of BK, Fuller and Floyd (The later of which was a Weis hold over).

 

[BrownerandFry]

One of the more questionable decisions I’ve seen in a long time, when it comes to declaring early.

There are a hundred Kevin Austin’s in the NFL. Nothing about his game separates himself from other players. I hope he knows that there are DBs much better than Sauce Gardner at the next level.

Hmm "a hundred Kevin Austin's in the NFL"


When he was coming out of school, college, how did you rate Jalen Guyton.

How does that compare with your current rating of Austin?

 

[arrowryan]

Hmm "a hundred Kevin Austin's in the NFL"


When he was coming out of school, college, how did you rate Jalen Guyton.

How does that compare with your current rating of Austin?

I didn’t say Austin won’t/can’t have a successful pro career. I just think he needed another year of college ball.

 

[stlnd01]

i wish the best for this young man. Teams like the Rams would be ideal. (They don't need a WR right away) Practice squad and then special teams for a year of two to reach his potential.

What's frustrating is he could've spent that year starting at Notre Dame instead of in the NFL on a practice squad and special teams. Actually playing would do a lot more to help him reach his potential.

 

[ab2cmiller]

What's frustrating is he could've spent that year starting at Notre Dame instead of in the NFL on a practice squad and special teams. Actually playing would do a lot more to help him reach his potential.

Certainly something to be said for that. But you could also argue that being able to dedicate 100% of his time over the next year to football might help him reach his potential faster than the limited time he can devote while he is in school. Can't say with any certainty which is best for Kevin.

 

[stlnd01]

Certainly something to be said for that. But you could also argue that being able to dedicate 100% of his time over the next year to football might help him reach his potential faster than the limited time he can devote while he is in school. Can't say with any certainty which is best for Kevin.

Well of course, nothing is certain and everyone has their own reasons, to which we internet randos are not necessarily privy. But also feels like he could have significantly improved his draft stock with another year in college, which means more money and job security in the NFL, which, on balance, is likely better for Kevin. (Also he was going to be a 5Y, correct? The academic load for them is usually pretty light. Plenty of time for football.)
But either way, he's gone. Got his degree, right? Wish him the best. More reps for Styles, Colzie and Merriweather, I suppose.

 

[rtrn2glory]

He needs to hire whoever claypool and Boykin had for their speed coach

 

[ulukinatme]

He needs to hire whoever claypool and Boykin had for their speed coach

In addition to whoever taught Chase how to beat coverage and catch his targets.

 

[Luckylucci]

I know I'm in the minority on this one but I continue to believe Austin has the potential to have a really good combine and move solidly into the draft. I think his story will end up similar to that of ESB. He'll make a team and be on the roster for a number of years and make a reasonable living playing football.

The combine is a huge opportunity for him.

 

[Irish4life]

Love to see it!

 

[tko]

I just cannot envision him running clean, crisp routes.

 

[ulukinatme]

I just cannot envision him running clean, crisp routes.

I agree. Just seems too unpolished for a senior. He was very inconsistent to start the year and only picked it up once the freshmen started pushing for reps. Even then he relied too much on raw talent and didn't do enough to hone his craft. Reminds me a lot of GA III. I think he could be really good if he works on beating coverages and gets solid hands.

 

[Irish#1]

I know I'm in the minority on this one but I continue to believe Austin has the potential to have a really good combine and move solidly into the draft. I think his story will end up similar to that of ESB. He'll make a team and be on the roster for a number of years and make a reasonable living playing football.

The combine is a huge opportunity for him.

TBH, I think most believe he has the potential. It's discovering the potential and working to use it. Hope he proves me wrong and makes a team.

 

[RDU Irish]

I hope he finds NFL success and makes us all pissed that he was underutilized at ND. I suppose there is the chance he was held back by QB and play calling that rarely pushed 50/50 balls placing avoiding turnovers above all else. I'm OK with moving on - he had his chance and then some. Let's get those reps to Colzie and Styles with Davis providing veteran stability.

David Givens comes to mind in the sense that a less than dominant WR catching on in the NFL to be a reliable starter (see now he signed a $24M contract before injury ended his career). Remember him playing for New England and being pissed off we got a fraction of the production out of him in college that he got in the NFL - less than 1000 yards from scrimmage in 4 years at ND. Then again - Boob Davie.....

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

I mean I'd take a hard look at him in the 5th or more likely 6th round. Right around where Equimneous St Brown went.

 

[BeatSC]

He sure as hell can’t be any worse than Ben Skowronek. That guy embarrassed himself and ND this post season. Stafford wouldn’t look at him after he did nothing positive. Kupp is double covered and the balls were all still coming his way. Hope Ben is the best ST player in the league or he won’t even be on a practice squad next year. He does have a ring though!!!

 

[greyhammer90]

He sure as hell can’t be any worse than Ben Skowronek. That guy embarrassed himself and ND this post season. Stafford wouldn’t look at him after he did nothing positive. Kupp is double covered and the balls were all still coming his way. Hope Ben is the best ST player in the league or he won’t even be on a practice squad next year. He does have a ring though!!!

With fans like these...

 

[NDFAN420]

He sure as hell can’t be any worse than Ben Skowronek. That guy embarrassed himself and ND this post season. Stafford wouldn’t look at him after he did nothing positive. Kupp is double covered and the balls were all still coming his way. Hope Ben is the best ST player in the league or he won’t even be on a practice squad next year. He does have a ring though!!!

Skowronek is as happy as a lark today.

 

[stlnd01]

He sure as hell can’t be any worse than Ben Skowronek. That guy embarrassed himself and ND this post season. Stafford wouldn’t look at him after he did nothing positive. Kupp is double covered and the balls were all still coming his way. Hope Ben is the best ST player in the league or he won’t even be on a practice squad next year. He does have a ring though!!!

He did have a nice catch for about eight yards on their final drive. And, yes, a Super Bowl ring. He and Michael Floyd can compare notes.

As for ND, I don't think the average NFL fan cares where Skrowronek went to (one year of) college. I have no idea where Cooper Kupp went to college.