Tavon Austin = Percy Harvin

[Guest BlueBoy]

geno smith stares down receivers badly

You saw all that in these fast highlights? Wow!

What do you want, no look passes? This isn't basketball, son.

over 4200 yards passing, 42 TD, 6 ints. Ran a 4.56(Cam-like numbers). Dude is legit.

Staring down receivers means more INTs. You're not a scout. Leave the guy alone. Plus, the panthers aren't in the market for a QB.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I admittedly haven't watched much of Austin but his vision and ability cut is lethal in space and he makes so many people miss. If he can run crisp clean routes and get separation in the passing game and give us a new wrinkle in the running game and Sproles like production catching out of the backfield and in the slot then he would not be a bad option at 14 but it really depends who is on the board.......

Sounds exactly like what we said last season about Joe Adams. NO WAY this guy is anywhere near the same caliber as Sprole or D'Will. If he was he would be listed as a RB not WR.

[The Huddler]

The man returned kicks for TD's and broke a few passes for TD's... he may not be the fastest out there, but he's extremely quick for his size

Do you know how fast Anquan Boldin is? He ran a 4.7 and Fitz ran a 4.6

If he is as good as those dudes then sure, but from what I saw from a few highlight videos is he is slow and catches with his body. Just a quick opinion.

[Ricky Spanish]

You saw all that in these fast highlights? Wow!

What do you want, no look passes? This isn't basketball, son.

over 4200 yards passing, 42 TD, 6 ints. Ran a 4.56(Cam-like numbers). Dude is legit.

Staring down receivers means more INTs. You're not a scout. Leave the guy alone. Plus, the panthers aren't in the market for a QB.

Jesus christ, why are you so butthurt about that comment? for that fact, why does everyone get so butthurt around here now?

You know who else stared down receivers badly in college? Cam Newton. he threw a lot of picks his rookie year too. does it mean I said he sucked? no it doesn't. Calm the crap down and get over yourself. And yes I understand the irony of the whole butthurt comment, but I can only handle so much chirldishniss. this whole "I don't agree with you so you are obviously retarded" mentality is turrible for these forums and any healthy debate/conversation people can have here.

[Ricky Spanish]

double post my bad

[The Huddler]

I didn't realize how big Allen was. See where you're comming from beastson

[ItsPantone278]

I'm a fan. He has the look of a true NFL playmaker. Dynamic offensive player is a definite need going in and he very well could be that.

I'm not dismissing other options but I would definitely be excited if his name were called for the Panthers.

[Black]

He sounds like a headache.

[beastson]

I didn't realize how big Allen was. See where you're comming from beastson

Right he 6'3 and 215

Few vids. Allen ONLY issue to me is his knee and how he perform after the injury

[BigSyke]

man hes slow...if that dumb dude would have went for the tackle instead of trying to knock the ball out allen would have not scored lol

never liked him....seems like an avg guy....lol no way is he on desean jackson level coming out.......dudes a chump compared to jackson. :thumbsd:

[lightsout]

If not Patterson, we BETTER be going with Austin. This is all assuming Warmack is gone (and I think he will be). Need a sure thing at WR. Gotta go after the big time playmakers.

[Mage]

Outside of being short and fast, Austin could be compared to a lot of other guys not named Harvin. Harvin is built like a runningback. A lot more stout, tougher runner. Austin will run around you whereas Harvin runs through you.

I do like Austin a lot though. But not at #14. Some people are beginning to overrate him. If you didn't want him at #14 before the combine, wanting him now means you either for some reason doubted his speed or put too much stock in the 40. Austin will be a solid player but I still wouldn't consider him one of the 3 best receivers in this draft.

[micnificent28]

• 5'8"HEIGHT
  
• 30"ARM LENGTH
  
• 174LBS.WEIGHT
  
• 9 1/8"HANDS
  

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• MORE COMBINE VIDEO
  

OVERVIEW

The Mountaineers have had a dangerous spread offense since Rich Rodriguez led the team, but have moved from a run-based system (ranked third in the FBS in rushing in 2007) to a pass-based spread (ranked sixth nationally in passing in 2011, 10th in 2012). A huge part of the offensive success the Mountaineers have enjoyed over the last two seasons is due to the talent of Austin. A small but quick and elusive playmaker, Austin’s role and impact grew seemingly by the week during his senior season, as he went from a slot returner and returner to a fully fledged Swiss-Army knife, including lining up in the backfield and taking handoffs,

The two-time Maryland high school player of the year set all kinds of state career and single-season records, a large share of which (34 touchdowns, 2,660 rushing yards -- that’s 12.2 yards a carry) as a senior. WVU coaches couldn’t wait to get him on the field, playing him in all 13 games and starting him in four. He caught 15 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while racking up 476 kick return yards (including taking the opening kickoff against Connecticut 98 yards for a score). Big East coaches named him second-team all-conference in 2010 as he became a larger part of the passing game (58-787, 8 TD) and rushing attack (15-159, TD), but kicked him up to first team as a receiver (101-1,186, 8 TD) and returner (36 attempts for 938 yards, two TD on kickoffs; 19-268 on punts, ranked sixth in the FBS with a 14.1 yard average) after an excellent junior season. He led the FBS in all-purpose yards once his 182 rushing yards (one TD) were added in, and finished 2011 with 390 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in the team’s 70-33 blowout win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

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.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Slot receiver possessing elite acceleration with the ball in his hands, takes advantage of available lanes to explode for big gains. Shows excellent vision both as a runner out of the backfield, as a returner, and as a receiver with the ball in his hands. Almost unstoppable at continue on for additional yardage. Not a frail receiver; plays tough, has some upper-body thickness, and bounces up quickly from hits. Varies the speed of his route, lulls defenders to sleep and takes off to create space on out routes or over the middle. Tough to grab after the catch in zone coverage. Flashes the hands to adjust to wide or high passes, as well as tracking balls over his shoulder. Also goes down to grab low throws. Displays excellent balance to tightrope the sideline. Often used on fly sweeps, using his elite quickness and acceleration to cut inside or get the corner for big plays. Finds space as a kickoff returner to use his speed, will head straight upfield and can spin off tackles in the open field to maximize the return. Can make the first man miss on punt returns and has the vision to slalom between players to the sideline or up the middle. Very difficult to track down from behind. Wins at every level of the field despite his size, and has been somewhat underutilized deep. Improved as a blocker, and will body up on bigger players.

WEAKNESSES

Limited to the slot on most plays; lacks the size and strength most scouts prefer outside, or even as a kick returner. Hands are good, but not exceptional; will let some hot passes through his small hands and into his chest. Gets a lot of his yardage on shallow crosses, quick throws outside, and the fly sweep/"touch pass." Might not have the chance to get the sideline as often at the next level, forcing him to lower the shoulder and get what’s available to him inside. Must prove he can hang onto the ball after taking big hits from NFL defenders. Will hesitate on punt and kick returns at times instead of immediately accelerating or trusting his blocking, and can get tripped up easily on contact. Incredible balance and stop/start ability, but he might not have elite straight line speed.

NFL COMPARISON

Randall Cobb

BOTTOM LINE

Don’t blink when Austin has the ball in his hands, as his elite acceleration helped him finish second in the country in all-purpose yards as a senior and lead the FBS as a junior. Don’t be surprised if he turns out to be a first round pick or the first wide receiver off the board, as he is a huge playmaker on offense and special teams in the NFL despite the slight build that scared scouts away from other WVU offensive stars in the past.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

The more I watch of this kid the more he impresses. He would undoubtedly add some much needed versatility to this offense. He would be lethal in the slot, running the read/speed option, running jet sweeps and reverses... just a flat out play maker and if he gets in the open field look out. Also, would finally give us lethal kick returner but I'm not sure we would risk him getting injured if we invest a 14th pick in him.

Yes he size isn't ideal but Austin is a home run threat much like Patterson when he gets the football in his hands. If he's a good route runner and can find holes in a defense he will move the chains and take passes to the house. Mayock is extremely high on him as well. He is the definition of a match up nightmare. It would be comical watching a 3rd CB or linebacker try to cover this kid never mind get their hands on him once he makes the catch.

At this point I'm just glad we have many great options at 14.