Four-star has a favorite and four finalists
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – On Saturday when Maryland's best high school football prospects play Washington D.C.'s top prospects in the first Crab Bowl, one player that will be a center of attention to both coaching staffs will be Baltimore (Md.) Dunbar all-purpose back Tavon Austin.
Through only one practice, it is clear that Austin will play a pivotal role in the Maryland team's offensive success.
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"Saturday I'll probably get a lot of screen plays," Austin said. "I'm gonna get some zone reads and some pass plays so they're definitely trying to get me the ball. It's gonna be hard for them in mismatches so I'm happy to get the ball in a lot of different ways."
Austin is accurately described as an all-purpose back because he can do his damage in a number of different ways. His ability to catch the ball is something he is very proud of.
"As far as catching, I know a lot of backs don't have good hands but I'm one of those backs – not to be cocky – but I'm one of those backs that has great hands like a wide receiver," he said. "So it can be hard for a linebacker or a safety to come down and cover me."
That versatility is why Austin has had scholarship offers from around the country. As signing day approaches, Austin has narrowed his list to four, with one school out in front.
"I narrowed it down to four schools: North Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia and Michigan," he said. "West Virginia is my number one school right now."
Austin took a visit to Morgantown earlier in the year and loved it and has found several reasons why he may be close to pulling the trigger for the Mountaineers.
"It is just a college town," he said. "I really like the college town, the coaches the player and the school, it's really just a perfect fit for me with that offense."
With Noel Devine taking over the role as feature back in Morgantown, Austin is excited about the possibility of playing alongside a similarly explosive back.
"If I go up there with Noel Devine, that would be great because they won't know which person to stick so it will be crazy if I go up there with him."
Austin has two more official visits scheduled currently: one to North Carolina on Jan. 9 and one visit the following weekend to Michigan on Jan. 16.