Alex Austin (CB) – Oregon St. / Senior
6’1”, 195.0 Lbs. (Combine)
2022 Stats: 12 games, 692 snaps, 57 Tackles, 42 Solo, 1 Tackle for loss, 1 Sack, 10 run stops, 10 passes defended, 1 interception, QBR of 81.9 when targeted
{Reference: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/myles-brooks-1.html}
Awards:
Measurables: Wingspan – 76 ¼, Hands – 8 ½”, 40-yard – 4.43, 10-yard split – 1.54, Shuttle – 4.33, 3-cone – 7.06, Vertical – 33”, Broad – 122”, RAS: 6.42
Games Watched: 2022 vs. Oregon, 2022 vs. Boise State, 2022 vs. USC
PRO’S
Alex Austin is a physical DB that attacks the ball, pitbull!! He can play down in the box and blitz off the edge (9:37 left in 1st qtr vs. Oregon, Austin lined up to the top of the screen about three yds off LOS. Once QB begins his cadence, Austin slows, creeps forward, and is a rocket once the ball is snapped to QB. He forces Nix to step up, and RB Irving saves the sack last minute by bumping him out ). 57 total tackles reiterates that Austin doesn’t shy away from contact and plays smash mouth football (5 mins left in 2nd qtr vs. Boise St, #5 goes in motion towards top of the screen, QB snaps the ball and shuffles it to #5, Austin and DB #3 rush to the carrier, #3 puts helmet to the ball to force a fumble. Austin is in the perfect position for the fumble recovery). Alex has good length with 4.3 pro day speed, which shows he has good quickness and the ability to turn upfield quickly. He can disrupt WRs at the LOS in press coverage and should be called ‘Carabiner’ for how he is clipped to WR’s hips.
CON’S
Austin’s footwork is his biggest knock outside of being handsy early in his collegiate career. Sometimes Alex looks like Steve Urkel at a high school dance tripping over his feet. (4:15 left in 4th qtr, Austin is lined up in man coverage bottom of the screen. Austin on WR Rice (outside WR), the inside WR cuts out to the sideline, and Rice stops. Austin should switch but can’t get out of backpedal fast enough. Pass completed keeps drive alive.) He will have to work on being more fluid at the next level. Austin needs to play physically at LOS to stay in phase with WRs.
OVERALL
With the Safety class being so thin, I could see an NFL GM converting Austin to that position. His physicality and willingness to play in the box just screams Safety skills. The landing spot for Austin will matter if he is to play in the NFL at DB. He will have to be alongside a top-tier coverage DB to be successful with his skill level.
Completed by: @NinoBrown_T2T, 03/29/23
Reviewed & edited: J. Clark, 03/29/23
