Marvin Austin big NFL Draft loser in North Carolina issue

by Dan Kadar on Oct 11, 2010 1:09 PM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

Due to involvement with an agent, North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin was dismissed from the University of North Carolina. Defensive end Robert Quinn and wide receiver Greg Little were ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA.

Quinn, a talented junior, was expected to enter the NFL Draft following this season. Now, it's almost inevitable he's going pro. Austin and Little are seniors. None of the three have played a game this season due to the NCAA investigation. Get details on what each did wrong here.

Of the trio, Austin had the most to lose by not playing this season. Next year's draft is rich in defensive linemen who project to be five techniques. Among that group is Cameron Heyward, Adrian Clayborn, Allen Bailey and Marcell Dareus.

With only so many teams in need to that style of player, it's possible that Austin won't be a first day draft choice. In addition to not being as skilled as each of the above, he also has more questions about his effort.

Quinn's status as a premier pass rusher should be set, as long as he stays in shape. In 2009, Quinn made a living behind the line of scrimmage. He finished the year with 52 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks. Add that to three pass breakups and six forced fumbles.

Quinn could be a top 10 selection in 2011, even though he didn't play a down in 2010.

Little was projected by some as a top wide receiver. But in a draft that should be packed with junior talent, Little probably won't hear his name until the third round at the earliest.

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I blame the NCAA mostly

They take no steps to try and prevent this or help students avoid agents yet they’ll throw them to the curb in a snap. shame on them. Its clear the more “investigations” they start the less they actually care about the future of these young men. The NCAA is a disgrace

On more of a football note, I dont see him as the 5 tech that you do. Same with Bailey I see them more of one gap guys instead of 2. Heyward, Clayborn, and Dareus seem to be the true 3-4 DE 5 techs

by DBroncs1414 on Oct 11, 2010 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

Both parties are at fault. The players have to take some responsibility and use their intelligence. Just because no one is stopping them doesn’t mean they should be taking $10K in gifts.

But it makes you wonder how rampant this is. No way this is an isolated incident.

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by Dan Kadar on Oct 11, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

My quote:

I blame the NCAA mostly

Of course, a player should know that being offered that kinda money and accepting it isn’t right, but I still fault the NCAA more than anyone. This isn’t the NFL where you’re fining guys or suspending guys who are already making millions, these are kids who are trying to build their future and put the best foot forward for the NFL, and actions such as these prove the NCAA doesn’t give a rat’s ass about these kids’ futures. I feel maybe a suspension or something such as that would be in order, but to deny these kids of playing football for their school and putting their pro-football prospects in jeopardy is a disgrace.

by DBroncs1414 on Oct 11, 2010 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Seems to me

It seems to me that with all these kids not being allowed to play we are going to potentially have some pretty good players considering, falling a lot farther than initially expected. Good chance for better teams to get good players this means.

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by TheAngelsColts on Oct 11, 2010 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

So for Austin, a few thousand dollars in gifts probably cost him around $10 million in guarantees. Lesson to all student athletes, if you’re going to deal with agents, don’t post about it on the internet

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by Jonathan Loesche on Oct 11, 2010 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with Dan

Austin is a 4-3 DT only, and will have to have a lights out combine/proday to make the first round, most likely a second round pick. I would put Cameron Jordan ahead of him, but not Neivis (LSU)

Quinn is still a 1st rounder.

Little he was a former RB turned WR and had a pretty good 2009, but needed to show he could run routes, ect.
He will drop like a stone.

by durst on Oct 11, 2010 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

I was the one who said he was a 4-3 DT only,

Dan said he looked like a 5 tech prospect, which, unless I’m wrong, means a 3-4 DE.

And nice point on Little, I didn’t know that about him (being a RB), but if you look around, more and more teams are doing this. Golden Tate and Theo Riddick are ones that comes to mind. I attribute that to more shorter passes and screens requiring YACs, which WR/RB tweeners are better at getting then just pure WR’s.

by DBroncs1414 on Oct 11, 2010 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions