With only a week to go before the start of the NFL season, Tavon Austin is outside looking in. The former Dunbar High superstar is a free agent after being released by Buffalo last week.

Austin was signed to a one-year contract in June, but the 31-year old Baltimore native wasn’t able to carve a place in a young Bills receiving group. Last season, Austin had 24 receptions for 213 yards and a touchdown in seven games for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Austin has been with five teams since joining the NFL as a first-round pick of then-St. Louis Rams in 2013. He signed a four-year, $42 million contract with the team (now Los Angeles Rams) before the 2016 season, then was traded to Dallas during the 2018 off-season.

In two seasons, Austin managed 21 catches for 317 yards and a touchdown with the Cowboys. He signed with San Francisco during training camp in 2020, but suffered a knee injury before the start of the season and was placed on injured reserve. The 49ers released Austin in late October 2020 after reaching an injury settlement, and Green Bay added him in December 2020 for the stretch run.

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Austin had four catches for 20 yards in five games for the Packers, who lost to eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship game.

Austin enjoyed a stellar college career at West Virginia University and is, arguably, the best high school football player ever produced by the Baltimore metro area.

Austin, who graduated from Dunbar in 2008, remains the state record holder for career rushing yards (7,962 yards), touchdowns (123) and points (790). He led the Poets to three straight state championships (2006, 2007 and 2008) and was the All-State Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008.

During his high school football career at Dunbar in Baltimore, Tavon Austin set state records that may never challenged.

Austin was one of the nation’s most dynamic collegiate players at West Virginia, accumulating nearly 7,300 yards in rushing, receiving and returns. He was a first-team All-American in 2011 and 2012.

Austin has shown flashes in his NFL career, but injuries and inconsistency have hindered him. His best season may have been in 2015 when he netted nearly 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in receiving, rushing and punt returns.

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Austin, who turns 32 this March, has earned more than $41 million in his NFL career. He hopes to find his way onto another roster as he begins the new NFL season as a free agent.

Tavon Austin’s 2008 football highlights at Dunbar High School.