Thomas Austin

For all of running back C.J. Spiller's talent, he was able to rely on holes being opened by two-time All-ACC selection Thomas Austin over his career. The veteran of 38 career starts, including the past 37 consecutively, Austin has developed into one of the country's most versatile and dependable interior linemen, splitting time between both guard spots and center. Splitting between left guard and center as a junior helped Austin develop quite a name for himself. In fact, throughout his career Austin accumulated five ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week awards, tying the Clemson all-time career record at his position. He tied for the conference lead as a junior by being honored three times (Rodney Hudson, Florida State). While Austin's lack of sustained quickness and strength were a concern, scouts chalked it up to his alternating between positions. Returning to left guard exclusively as a senior, however, Austin's lack of sustained quickness and only moderate power was exposed. Quicker, stronger athletes consistently gave him problems in 2009, worrying scouts about how he'll fare in the NFL. A team needing depth inside will be sure to value Austin's versatility and consistency, but with little athletic upside, this big name could suffer a big drop come draft day.

pass blocking

Good punch to jar the defensive tackle during pass protection. Stays square to the defender by sliding laterally and keeping his knees bent. Good strength and placement with his hands. Good use of hands and leverage to anchor against the bull rush.

pulling/trapping

Good first step quickness to get out, but lacks sustained speed to get out and around the line. Good flexibility for the cut block in space. Inconsistent sustain of blocks at the second level.

intangibles

Short, squatty build conducive to interior line play. Versatile. Has started at all three interior line positions. Cerebral. Makes the line calls. Viewed by some as a better center prospect, but has only 15 career starts at the position and played left guard exclusively as a senior. Austin played center in only one game in high school and never at center for Clemson until 2007. As a center, is an efficient snapper in typical quarterback-center exchange, as well as in shotgun. Legitimate center prospect with the quick hands to handle the rusher after the snap. Played as a graduate student in 2009. Political Science major.

run blocking

Good initial pop as a run blocker and can push defenders off the line of scrimmage due to good leverage and leg drive. Good turn and seal blocker, but struggles with bigger, stronger defenders. Can absorb the bull rush, but too often takes a step back in doing so, potentially falling back into the ball carrier.

downfield

Good first step quickness to get to the second level. Lacks anything more than phone-booth quickness. Good angles to block effectively at the second level. Keeps his head on a swivel and identifies his target at the second level, but is too often beaten to the spot.

initial quickness

Moderate intitial quickness off the snap. Can be beaten by quicker pass rushers and lacks the burst and bend to recover if beaten. Good lateral agility to slide in pass protection. Good initial pop to stun the defender in the running game.

Graded out at over 90 percent as a senior at Camden High School

all-state selection by The State, High School Sports Report, and SCVarsity.com as a senior

Upstate Lineman-of-the-Year as a senior

Shrine Bowl starter at offensive tackle

one of the top-10 players in the Shrine Bowl by Rivals.com

all-county, all-region, and all-area selection as a junior and senior

named to the SuperPrep Mid-Atlantic team as the 11th-best prospect in South Carolina

all-region and all-area as a senior

97th-best player on the East Coast by SuperPrep

20th-best offensive guard in the nation and the eighth-best player in South Carolina by Rivals.com

ranked ninth on Spartanburg Herald-Journal's Fab-50 list

ranked as the eighth-best player in South Carolina by TigerIllustrated.com and the #3-rated player in South Carolina by TigerNet.com

ranked #7 in South Carolina by CUTigers.com

#1 offensive lineman in South Carolina by The State

graded out at over 85 percent as a junior

played every position on the offensive line in high school

three-year letterman in wrestling who won the AAA state wrestling title as a junior

had a 66-4 career record in wrestling

state finalist and North/South All-Star in wrestling as a senior

four-year letterman in football; he played on the AAA state championship team as a freshman offensive tackle

honor student and recipient of the Governor's Award for outstanding character

president of his high school FCA and a soloist in the church choir

coached by Jimmy Neal

chose Clemson over Maryland, Penn State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest.

Born Thomas Austin on Nov. 14, 1986

majoring in political science.