Remember that time Daylen Austin flipped, LSU fans flipped out, and Dan Lanning lit up a big victory cigar?
It was National Signing Day last December. Four days before Christmas Austin and the Oregon coaching staff shocked the college football world when the LSU commit switched his commitment to the Ducks.
Austin's surprise decision was part of a monster day for the program. That morning Austin Novosad flipped to Oregon from Baylor and 5-star Edge Rusher Matayo Uiagalelei chose UO over USC. Guyer, Texas 5-star safety Peyton Bowen also chose the Ducks but later re-flipped to Oklahoma.
By the time Daylen chimed in with his decision, the internet anonymous keyboard warriors were sure the fix was in:
Oregon tossing around the bags on signing day. How many flips is that now?
— Rick (@LVCamera) December 21, 2022
Austin himself quickly dismissed the speculation. He told Drew Schott of On3 Sports, “My plan is to make the NFL money. NIL money is good for college athletes, being a college athlete, being able to make money. But I’d say my mindset is focused on NFL money. It didn’t really play a big part, more of a relationship with coach Lanning.”
“Like I said, if it was for the money, I would’ve went to the school with the biggest number,” he added. “It wasn’t NIL at all.”
It was more about relationships and the opportunity to be developed by a defensive-minded staff, he said. He also liked the small college town feel of Eugene and the opportunity to play on the West Coast. He told Greg Biggins of 247Sports, "You can really lock in and focus on what’s important."
Austin is the real deal as a 2023 recruit at cornerback. His school, Long Beach Poly, has sent over 20 defensive backs to the NFL, including his brother Alex, picked in the 7th round this spring out of Oregon State.
The 247Sports Composite rated him as the number 116 prospect in the country and the 12th-best cornerback, a high four-star prospect with an overall score of .9462. An UnderArmour All-American, the Moore League coaches honored him as their Player of the Year, an award his brother also won.
It's a football family with deep roots in the community. Mom Daysha, serves as president of Long Beach Patriots Snoop Youth League football program. Father Al, represents the 8th district on the Long Beach city council.
As a football player, this isolation video shows his physical and tenacious style. He presses. He breaks decisively to the ball. He plays with his head up, reading keys, crashing in on the run, staying with the receiver out of his breaks.
Austin's challenge is, he'll have to get even better to make his stated goal of reaching the NFL. He's slightly built at 6-1, 180--it would help him to add some muscle and definition. Though he has above average speed at 4.6 in the 40, 10.99 in the 100 meters, 22.73 in the 200, being an elite cornerback means learning how to use all your resources--hand-fighting, leverage to the sideline, anticipation, film study--to stay with taller, faster receivers.
5⭐️ athlete Nyckoles Harbor showing off his speed against Oregon 4-star CB signee Daylen Austin💨
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) January 1, 2023
Live Updates from Under Armour All-America Game Practice Day 3: https://t.co/IKR2FhDqKn pic.twitter.com/mp8CcegXN5
Daylen missed 10 games with injury as a sophomore, so he's already demonstrated the ability to overcome adversity and grow as an athlete. He's fiercely competitive in the way he plays to the whistle and battles a receiver on every play.
To succeed at the Division One college level, which he will no doubt do, Austin has to be determined to learn even from his failures. Locking up every day with Troy Franklin, Gary Bryant, Traeshon Holden, Jurrion Dickey and Ashton Cozart, there will be more than a few of them.
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