Sneha Girap (Editor)

Thomas Austin (American football)

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Position:
  
Center

Games played:
  
8

40 yard dash time
  
5.36 seconds

Name
  
Thomas Austin

Weight
  
141 kg

College:
  
Clemson

Role
  
American football center

Spouse
  
Margaret Hall (m. 2008)

Undrafted:
  
2010

Height
  
1.93 m


Thomas Austin (American football) lyimgcombtapires12mlHJDHsas8dRqtUg8vQ0g

Date of birth:
  
(1986-11-14) November 14, 1986 (age 29)

Education
  
Camden High School, Clemson University

Number
  
65 (Indianapolis Colts / Center)

Place of birth:
  
West Point, New York

Thomas Austin (born November 14, 1986) is a former American football center. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Clemson.

Contents

He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, and Indianapolis Colts.

Early years

Austin attended Camden High School in Camden, South Carolina, where he played every position along the offensive line. He was a four-year letterman in football, and played on the AAA state title team as a freshman offensive tackle. He was an all-county, all-region, and all-area selection as a junior and senior. As a senior, he was named the top offensive lineman in South Carolina by The State. He was also named to all-state teams by The State, High School Sports Report, and SCVarsity.com. He was the upstate Lineman of the Year as a senior, and a Shrine Bowl starter at offensive tackle. Rivals.com rated him among the top ten Shrine Bowl players, and as the No. 20 offensive guard in the nation and the ninth best prospect in South Carolina.

He was also a three-year letterman in wrestling in high school, posting a 66-4 career record. He won the AAA state title as a junior and was a state finalist and North/South All-Star as a senior.

College career

Austin chose to attend Clemson University over Maryland, Penn State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest. He redshirted as a freshman in 2005 and was named the offensive scout team player of the year by the Clemson coaching staff. In 2006, Austin played 177 snaps, posting 22 knockdown blocks and three intimidation blocks. As a sophomore in 2007, he started 12 games, including four at right guard and eight at center. He led the team in knockdown blocks with 90 and in offensive snaps with 780. He was twice named Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week and was an honorable mention sophomore All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com.

In 2008, as a junior, Austin started 13 games and was three times named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week, while leading his team with 98 knockdown blocks. He was named to the All-ACC second team as a center after the season. In 2009, Austin started every game again as a senior co-captain, and was named to the All-ACC second team for a second straight season, this time as a guard. He was also named a third team All-American by Sporting News, and led his team with 112 knockdown blocks in 2009.

Minnesota Vikings

After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, Austin signed with the Minnesota Vikings on April 24, 2010. He was waived by the team during final cuts on September 4, 2010.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots signed Austin to their practice squad on September 29, 2010. He was re-signed to a future contract on January 20, 2011. He was waived on September 3.

Houston Texans

On September 4, he was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans. He was waived during cutdown day on September 1, 2012

Second stint with New England Patriots

The New England Patriots signed Austin to their practice squad on September 1, 2012. On October 2, 2012, Austins contract was terminated.

Carolina Panthers

On October 11, Austin signed with the Carolina Panthers, one day after Panthers Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. On July 22, 2013, Austin was waived by the Carolina Panthers.

Indianapolis Colts

On August 1, 2013, Austin was signed by the Indianapolis Colts. After spending time on the practice squad, Austin was elevated to the active roster on December 21, 2013.

References

Thomas Austin (American football) Wikipedia