'18 FL WR Kevin Austin (Notre Dame Signee)

[NDFAN420]

Austin can get the evaluation from the NFL and then decide. If he's "brutal" they'll tell him he's not going to be drafted and it will be a pretty easy decision for him.

Exactly. It'll play out and then we'll know. I think he should and will stay.

 

[T-Boone]

If it is only to be him OR Lenzy coming back I am starting to lean towards Lenzy.
I thought he looked fast last week for the first time in 2 years.

 

[Riddickulous]

If it is only to be him OR Lenzy coming back I am starting to lean towards Lenzy.
I thought he looked fast last week for the first time in 2 years.

I would take them both back in a heartbeat but I'd 100% go with Austin if I had to choose.

 

[317Irish]

I would take them both back in a heartbeat but I'd 100% go with Austin if I had to choose.

Same and it’s not even close.

 

[CHIDomer9]

On the II podcast they briefly mentioned his injury history but didn’t dig into the topic.

If he stays and turns an ankle in July, he’ll have the ND training room to get him healed, and as soon as he is healthy he’s back on the field. He has just as much of a chance to turn that ankle in a NFL training camp, but if that happens he either gets cut or put on somebody’s PUP list. Undrafted or late round receivers don’t come back from abbreviated training camps to play meaningful NFL snaps.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

There are 3 guys who should be considering leaving early this year.

Kyren Williams (gone), Kyle Hamilton (gone) and Isaiah Foskey (50/50)

Austin is definitely not one of those guys. He has the tools to be a high pick in the draft, but his consistency is maddening and he needs to learn how to beat physical, pressing corners at the LOS. I don't see a team using anything more than a late round pick on him, and I think he can significantly bolster his stock with a more well-rounded line and developing consistency and beating some physical corners.

Ouch…Jarret Patterson feels slighted and neglected.

 

[ulukinatme]

With two games left to play he hasn't broken 600 yards for the season. He has only one 100+ yard game and it was against the mighty Midshipmen. If Avery Davis comes back next year that's all we need from a veteran captain in the WR room at this point. I would let Styles and Colzie get the extra reps, the future is there. Austin can be talented, but I don't think another year will help his draft stock. The consistency just isn't there.

 

[NDRock]

With two games left to play he hasn't broken 600 yards for the season. He has only one 100+ yard game and it was against the mighty Midshipmen. If Avery Davis comes back next year that's all we need from a veteran captain in the WR room at this point. I would let Styles and Colzie get the extra reps, the future is there. Austin can be talented, but I don't think another year will help his draft stock. The consistency just isn't there.

Claypool was the same way. He came back, showed consistency, and became a 2nd round pick. Austin had hardly played before this year. I think another year would help him tremendously if he comes back with the right mindset.

 

[Irish#1]

With two games left to play he hasn't broken 600 yards for the season. He has only one 100+ yard game and it was against the mighty Midshipmen. If Avery Davis comes back next year that's all we need from a veteran captain in the WR room at this point. I would let Styles and Colzie get the extra reps, the future is there. Austin can be talented, but I don't think another year will help his draft stock. The consistency just isn't there.

The consistency isn't there, but I think the year would help him, particularly from a mental aspect. This is essentially his first season playing and game reps are so much more valuable than practice. The second season is when you see a big improvement with a lot of players. The NFL dream is littered with guys who have the physical traits and athleticism that Austin has yet they're earning a living doing something else. He needs to dial in the mental focus and use it to develop. JMO

 

[Chicago Domer]

ND needs to get him a hefty NIL deal to convince him to stay. He could probably get at least as much as he could as a late round salary in the league.

 

[stpeteirish]

Ouch…Jarret Patterson feels slighted and neglected.

Patterson is in his 4th year so technically he would not be "leaving early".

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Patterson is in his 4th year so technically he would not be "leaving early".

Well that same logic could be used for Kevin Austin also...Austin is in his 4th year so technically he would not be "leaving early". So you can't have that logic for Patterson but not Austin, they are one in the same.

The thing is both Patterson and Austin had a red shirt year when they didn't play so they would both have a 5th year of eligibility even if the extra Covid year was not available.

 

[Irishize]

On today's II podcast, they talked about players leaving or staying for 2022. Kevin Austin's name was brought up. Sampson thinks he tries the NFL.

He's at 34/569 through 10 games. I think that would be a brutal, Troy Niklas type mistake on his part. From a team point of view, it would hurt. A sophomore Styles and a more established Kevin Austin would have me excited.

I don’t think Niklas is a good comp. Yes, we all thought he’d be wise to return but he had the last laugh as he was drafted in the 2nd round. Were it not for injuries, he’d likely still be playing. No way is Austin getting drafted anywhere near the 2nd round.

O’Malley made the point that Austin has had recurring foot injuries and that he may want to avoid another one while in college and just roll the dice w/ the NFL. I tend to think he does and he follows the Devaris Daniels route of a career in the CFL

 

[Luckylucci]

This was trending towards an ESB situation last year so I don't see that changing now. Some guys just want to get into the league and go from there. ESB has now made approx. 2.5M and been in the league for 5 years. He's making 500k/year. We can argue over whether or not he'd have been better suited to come back for another year but you can't argue that he's in a pretty good position in life.

I would love for the Cowboys to get Austin in the 5th round. I'd feel that was a steal. I think a few more games of production and a good combine, Kevin is headed to the NFL.

 

[Free Manera]

"He's an idiot if he does that." - TIm Prister lol.

He later said "well I should rephrase that, it would be an idiotic decision."

Austin has a ton of upside but he is not close to ready. Press coverage from a good corner literally removes him from the play.

 

[IrishLax]

The difference is that Austin will not get drafted right now because he has about a hundred red flags. I’m exaggerating but he gets bullied off routes in press coverage, isn’t precise in his route running, has inconsistent hands with a number of bad drops, etc.

If he simply comes back and has even a mediocre year where he refines his game then he’s likely a mid-round pick. But he has 1st round upside and going UDFA would be a financial mistake. Different than Niklas who got good draft feedback and did not think he could appreciably improve his stock.

 

[ulukinatme]

The difference is that Austin will not get drafted right now because he has about a hundred red flags. I’m exaggerating but he gets bullied off routes in press coverage, isn’t precise in his route running, has inconsistent hands with a number of bad drops, etc.

If he simply comes back and has even a mediocre year where he refines his game then he’s likely a mid-round pick. But he has 1st round upside and going UDFA would be a financial mistake. Different than Niklas who got good draft feedback and did not think he could appreciably improve his stock.

Its for these reasons I say let him move on one way or another and get the younger guys reps. When Austin is on he's on, but the rest of the time he's either dropping passes or failing to get open against mediocre coverage, etc. It's like a roll of the dice. I just think it's a gamble bringing him back when we've got two hungry, talented freshmen that could be getting those reps next year.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Its for these reasons I say let him move on one way or another and get the younger guys reps. When Austin is on he's on, but the rest of the time he's either dropping passes or failing to get open against mediocre coverage, etc. It's like a roll of the dice. I just think it's a gamble bringing him back when we've got two hungry, talented freshmen that could be getting those reps next year.

You need depth. Hungry, talented freshmen can get hurt or have bad games as well.

you don’t believe Austin can improve his game? Essentially this really is his first year of action.

 

[IrishBoognish]

Its for these reasons I say let him move on one way or another and get the younger guys reps. When Austin is on he's on, but the rest of the time he's either dropping passes or failing to get open against mediocre coverage, etc. It's like a roll of the dice. I just think it's a gamble bringing him back when we've got two hungry, talented freshmen that could be getting those reps next year.

Geez man...

I really thought you were a pretty reasonable poster on this board.

Now I see you want Kevin Austin to "move on"


You weird.

 

[Riddickulous]

Starting to finally look like the big play threat he was touted as coming in. Now to turn this strong finish into a dominant 1000 yard season in 2022.

 

[SBirishlawyer]

Yeah he is our most important recruit at this point(aside from foskey and maybe patterson)

 

[ThePiombino]

Its for these reasons I say let him move on one way or another and get the younger guys reps. When Austin is on he's on, but the rest of the time he's either dropping passes or failing to get open against mediocre coverage, etc. It's like a roll of the dice. I just think it's a gamble bringing him back when we've got two hungry, talented freshmen that could be getting those reps next year.

We can't afford to "let him" move on though because of the putrid job Del has done recruiting and maintaining the WR position. And with the writing on the wall with this year's WR class, we may very well be at 4 scholarship WRs without going into the portal. You think ND can do better than Austin in the portal?

 

[SBirishlawyer]

We can't afford to "let him" move on though because of the putrid job Del has done recruiting and maintaining the WR position. And with the writing on the wall with this year's WR class, we may very well be at 4 scholarship WRs without going into the portal. You think ND can do better than Austin in the portal?

No sir I do not

 

[zelezo vlk]

Maybe I'm just not noticing with other receivers, but it sure seems like every time he's making a play the replay shows he's getting away with a push off.

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[ulukinatme]

Geez man...

I really thought you were a pretty reasonable poster on this board.

Now I see you want Kevin Austin to "move on"


You weird.

I just like the idea of a Styles/Colzie/Avery starting trio over Austin in there. This was supposed to be Austin's big year and he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire. To be "the guy" and only break 100 yards once this year against the mighty Midshipmen? It's a consistency thing, Lax touched on it above on the deficiencies. I'd just rather see Styles and Colzie get the reps and building toward 2022/2023 when this freshman class is going to explode and light the college football world on fire. These dudes are out here now pancaking guys and making big plays as true freshmen, they're hungry and ready.

 

[CanadalovesND]

I just like the idea of a Styles/Colzie/Avery starting trio over Austin in there. This was supposed to be Austin's big year and he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire. To be "the guy" and only break 100 yards once this year against the mighty Midshipmen? It's a consistency thing, Lax touched on it above on the deficiencies. I'd just rather see Styles and Colzie get the reps and building toward 2022/2023 when this freshman class is going to explode and light the college football world on fire. These dudes are out here now pancaking guys and making big plays as true freshmen, they're hungry and ready.

It’s fair to say if you want Styles, Colzie and Davis to start head of him, but again, we need the bodies next year. You keep him around, hope he improves, and if the young guys pass him on the depth chart, Austin can still be the fourth wide receiver.

You don’t give toys away when you have nothing else in the garage.

Austin also has a sixth year of eligibility if he wants to use it. He can transfer somewhere or go to NFL after 2022

 

[Trait Expectations]

Austin would be welcomed back with open arms and it's the decision he should make. It'd be best for his future NFL draft position (or likely go undrafted) and it'd be best for ND. With another full year of playing ball, he can grow leaps and bounds. Imagine reducing his concentration drops and just a couple more big plays, he'd be viewed very differently.

We all need another year of KA so we can see the WR that was promised.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Kevin Austin would absolutely elevate the WR unit if he returns for the 2022 season.

 

[irishff1014]

Kevin Austin would absolutely elevate the WR unit if he returns for the 2022 season.

It would elevate his draft stock most likely as well.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Maybe I'm just not noticing with other receivers, but it sure seems like every time he's making a play the replay shows he's getting away with a push off.

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Possibly. If so, he’s doing it right. Will Fuller was a master at the little push to create separation but not enough to get flagged.