1st pick

Are you saying Austin is like Ginn?

If I recall, there weren't a lot of people convinced Ginn was going to be a stud at the next level, and he was more of a straight line guy. But I'll go look as you've asked, because now I'm curious. I'll read a little as well, if I can get some good looks about him pre draft....

 

Ginn - 2013 NFL Draft: Tavon Austin headlines wide receiver rankings - NFL.com

n 2005, Ginn settled in as the team's starting flanker. He finished second on the squad with 51 receptions for 803 yards (15.7 avg) and four touchdowns. He totaled 83 yards with a score on 12 carries (6.9 avg) and gained 532 yards on 18 kickoff returns, including a touchdown. His kickoff return average of 29.56 yards ranked fourth in the nation. He also returned 25 punts for 250 yards (10.0 avg) and a score. He became the first Buckeye to register receiving, rushing, punt returns and kickoff return touchdowns in the same season.

Ginn was a second-team All-American choice in 2006. He led the team with 781 yards and nine touchdowns on 59 catches (13.2 avg), adding 17 yards on three carries. He threw a pass for a 38-yard score, returned 18 kickoffs for 440 yards (24.4 avg) and a touchdown and had 24 punt returns for 266 yards (11.1 avg), including a score. He finished the year with 1,504 all-purpose yards, an average of 115.7 yards per game.

In 37 games at Ohio State, Ginn started 31 times. He snatched 125 passes for 1,943 yards (15.5 avg) and 15 touchdowns. He carried 28 times for 213 yards (7.6 avg) and three scores, adding another touchdown on a pass completion for 38 yards. He set the Big Ten Conference career record with six touchdowns on 64 punt returns for 900 yards (14.1 avg), and gained 1,012 yards with two scores on 38 kickoff returns (26.6 avg). He scored a total of 156 points and registered three solo tackles. Ginn also averaged 109.95 all-purpose yards per game, totaling 4,068 yards.


Even then he was compared mostly to Hall, a return specialist, and wasn't viewed as a stud by a lot of teams. I recall most being very lukewarm about him.



Austin - Austin burst into Heisman contention during his senior season with a 572 all-purpose yard (second most in FBS history) performance against Oklahoma on national television. Austin's full repertoire was on display, as he caught 4 passes for 82 yards, rushed 21 times for 344 yards and two touchdowns, and 146 kick return yards. His senior season saw him total career highs in y.f.s. (1932), all receiving categories (112-1289-12 TDs), and rushing (72-643-3 TDs), as well as 978 return yards and two touchdowns. His dominating play saw him finish eighth in Heisman voting, win the Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player), and garner a first-team All-America as an All-Purpose player.

The guy almost had Ginn's collegiate career numbers in just his senior season, and Ginn never completely dominated teams the way Austin has.

Austin has his issues, and I'm certainly not all of a sudden advocating that we pick this guy....just saying, it'd be disingenuous to write him off. If he's more quick than fast, and he runs a low 4.3, then that's not bad.

He's intriguing as hell.

 

Remember that Ginn posted those numbers in a conventional offense, not a spread. A lot of Tavon's receptions and subsequent receiving yards came from those bubble screens the Mountaineers ran constantly.

It's not disingenuous at all. It might end up being wrong, but there are numerous reasons to think that Tavon Austin won't be a great NFL player. Like I said: "He can't break tackles like Smitty, can't run block like Smitty, can't leap up in traffic to make a catch like Smitty, can't use his hands subtly to create separation downfield like Smitty, etc. Austin is explosive but WVU constantly got him the ball around the line of scrimmage. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands, but how often can you get the ball in his hands at the NFL level? "

 

This is looking like a moot point. Its sounding like there is no way Austin will be available by the Panthers pick at 14.

 

Supposedly, but we'll see. I don't think a 5'8" guy has ever been drafted in the top ten.

 

People can't obsess over a Qb, won't obsess over a tackle, Austin is the flavor for many people who talk about this stuff.

For us, in our position, hell no get a safe player that you know is going to make you better.

 

I really want to see what SF does with all of their picks. Rumors have them trading well up in the 1st to target a player. One named mentioned is T. Austin and trading with us potentially. Getting the 31 amongst others is too far imo

 

Nah, 31+34 would be great. I said that I think San Fran should trade up into the 20s from each of 31 and 34 instead of putting the two together to get to 14, though. We'll see.

 

Agreed, can't believe me and Collin actually agree over two diifferent players in the same thread. Is hell freezing over?

I see more bust potential in Fluker to be honest, he struggles with speed rushers going around him. Might have to move inside like Leonard Davis had to.

 

FWIW I've heard Austin compared to Hall. But I think he's more talented than that.

Im just not keen about a slot guy at 14, you could target someone like Swope much later.

Its his size, speed and quickness that make him hard to tackle not his strength, guys have a hard time getting hands on him.

Maybe in the future with Delo unloaded he could offer more as a change of pace guy to Stu at RB.

He reminds me of a cross between Harvin and Sproles.