University of North Carolina Athletics
Austin Getting Up To Speed
October 31, 2007 | Football
Oct. 31, 2007
By Turner Walston
A year ago, Marvin Austin was enjoying his senior season at Ballou Senior High School in Washington, D.C. His team was in the midst of an eight-game win streak that would result in a city championship. He was at or near the top of national recruiting services' lists of high school seniors, and had been named to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Many recruiting gurus considered him the #1 defensive player in the nation. Austin had taken an official visit to Illinois and was planning trips to Southern California, Tennessee, and Florida State. A December meeting with Butch Davis would result in North Carolina being added to that list.
On February 7, Austin announced that he would play for Davis and the Tar Heels. He says he had a feeling about Chapel Hill. "When I came down here on my visit in January, I just felt like it was home," he says.
But that wasn't all that attracted Austin to UNC. Davis's resume enticed him. "He's one of the best in the country," Austin says. "The guy's won Super Bowls and national championships. He's done it all."
Now, the hype and excitement of recruiting is gone. Austin is eight games into his Carolina career, entrenched on the defensive line. Along with senior Kentwan Balmer and sophomore Aleric Mullins, Austin has found himself rotating with fellow freshman Cam Thomas at the defensive tackle position. "Coach obviously knows what he's doing," Austin says. "Everybody's getting to play, and when your number's called, you've got to go out there and make the best of what you can do."
He says he's catching up to the speed of the college game. "When I first got here, everything was so fast," he says. "Now, when the ball is snapped, you can see things unfolding. At first, I was like, `What are you talking about? I can't see that.' Now, I can see it."
And he's making a difference: Austin is currently third on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss, and second behind Hilee Taylor with 3.5 sacks. But it hasn't been easy. "In high school, I was the best. Now, I'm at the bottom of the totem pole. I'm trying to get back to the top." He says he doesn't miss the attention from recruiters and enjoys being able to focus on football. "I'm just trying to get back to be the best defensive tackle in college football. That's my goal."
He says only hard work and perseverance will get him to the top. He can't get by on his name alone. "I'm just trying not to get complacent," he says. "There's always someone working just as hard as me. They may not get the same attention, but there's always somebody better than me."
Davis says he's seen Austin improve since day one. "It was all potential and it was all expectations, and the potential and the expectations have now become reality," the coach says. Austin's impact on the team is unique for a freshman, Davis adds. A true freshman at a skill position, such as running back or wide receiver, can have an immediate impact. Austin doesn't fit that mold. "It's pretty rare for an offensive lineman or a defensive lineman to come in and play not only the number of minutes that he's playing but also to be as effective and as productive."
Austin could have attended any school in the country, but he chose North Carolina. So does playing on a 2-6 team have him thinking of greener pastures? Austin says he was prepared to help build a program. "I knew it wasn't going to be straight to the national championship, to being the best team in the country," he says. "I knew there were going to be ups and downs, but it shows your character. When you're faced with adversity, how will you handle it? Basically, it's a test of character right now."
Austin's character has been tested before. His freshman season in high school ended with a 2-8 record. His senior season at Ballou started at 1-3, but the team rallied to win eight straight games. Austin had 10 tackles and three sacks when Ballou defeated perennial power Dunbar in the city championship.
The Tar Heels can only move forward, Austin says. "Going out there, giving phenomenal effort, and just keep trying to get better, day by day, that's all we can do."
He says he can take his high school experience and apply it to his college career. "I know what it takes to build a team and go from the bottom to the top," Austin says. "And the same thing can happen here."
Davis says Austin will continue to improve as his career progresses. "He's only scratched the surface," the coach says. "Wait `til he gets another year in the weight room. Wait `til he gets another year in spring practice. He's just going to continue to get better."
