Tavon Austin Tells His Story: The Oklahoma Game, Famous Highlight Tape, Retiring + More
The West Virginia legendary wide receiver revealed his football journey during an interview with Johnny Manziel.
West Virginia icon Tavon Austin recently had a candid conversation with Johnny Manziel, sharing insights about his life and career in a podcast for the first time.
During the interview, Tavon covers topics such as his decision to attend WVU, the Oklahoma game, his memorable highlight reel, coaches Bill Stewart and Dana Holgorsen, thoughts on leaving school early, the 2012 season, his NFL journey, and his choice to retire.
Decision to Retire
“It was a mixed feeling. I discussed it with my family and reflected on my own situation. You might love the game, but that doesn’t mean the game will reciprocate. After a few workouts, I realized it just wasn’t working out, so I made the call. I spoke with God and my family, and that helped me reach my decision.”
Social Media Reaction to Retirement
“It’s wild. It feels like when someone passes away and you get all your accolades afterward. Honestly, I did miss that spotlight for a long time. If you’re someone who’s always been in the limelight, it’s hard when the cameras aren’t on you anymore. When I retired and saw people commenting and calling me one of the GOATS, it hit me hard. You can’t really say that about yourself; it means more coming from others. It meant the world to me, and I even shed a tear, which is unusual for me.”
Recruitment and Choosing WVU
“I had some big offers, with Michigan being a standout because Rich Rod went there from West Virginia and wanted me on his team. I also had interest from schools like Georgia, but my heart was always with West Virginia.”
Transition from Running Back to Receiver
“I was initially set to play running back. Lonnie Galloway, one of my close friends, was at my grandmother’s house enjoying her chicken when we discussed my role. They told me I could sit for two years and wait for Noel (Devine) to leave or switch to the receiver position immediately. I opted to switch, and it turned out to be the best decision of my career.”
Dana Holgorsen Taking Over for Bill Stewart
“It was interesting. When Dana first arrived, he was just the offensive coordinator while Bill Stewart was the head coach. But it was clear that Holgorsen was the real driving force. Eventually, he took over as head coach.”
NFL Career
“I believe that with different coaching, my career could have turned out better. It’s crucial to be technically sound as a receiver in the NFL, especially when facing top players like Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson. I struggled early on and the narrative was that I wasn’t utilized correctly. I acknowledge I didn’t get the right coaching until later in my career. Transitioning to the outside receiver role after playing slot all through college was tough. I finally got the right guidance from receivers coach Sanjay Lal later in my time with the Cowboys and Jaguars.”
Considering Leaving WVU Early for the Draft
“I was set to leave after the Orange Bowl, where I scored three or four touchdowns. Holgorsen shocked me with news from scouts saying I’d likely go in the third or fourth round. He left me with that information, saying he hoped to see me back on campus Monday. Despite my initial thoughts of leaving, I did return for my final year.”
2012 Season Struggles
“We started strong at 5-0, and I was dreaming of the Heisman alongside Geno. But after Sted got hurt against Texas Tech, things went downhill quickly as teams began doubling me, leading to a losing streak.”
Moving to Running Back for the Oklahoma Game
“I remember it clearly—Holgorsen called me early one Sunday. We went over game tape for Oklahoma, and he proposed I play running back. I was hesitant since I’m a senior aiming for the league. I agreed, but I wanted to run downhill. Holgorsen joked I was too small for that, but I insisted on my preference. We decided to see how it worked in practice.”
Watching the Rams Win a Super Bowl
“That was tough. I felt like I should have been there with them. I had aspirations of being a Hall of Famer or a Pro Bowler, but that wasn’t in the cards for me. Maybe my role was simply to impact lives in different ways, and that’s fulfilling enough.”
The Highlight Tape
“Yeah, DougityDog, keep the views coming. Just so you know, I don’t earn anything from it, but it’s great to show the younger generation what a true football player looks like. It’s about more than just catching passes and scoring touchdowns; it’s about preparation, leadership, and dependability.”