Austin Stays Behind Tigers

by TigerNet Staff - Mon Sep 20 22:12:48 GMT-04:00 2004

Thomas Austin - Offensive Line
Height: 6-4 Weight: 285 Hometown: Camden, SC (Camden HS) Class: 2005

ESPN: NR

Thomas Austin, according to one SEC coach, is the second best player in South Carolina this year. Austin committed to the Tigers over Auburn during the summer. Austin shows no concern or lack of faith in the program after a tough two game stretch.

"I am staying firm behind the program. That is not going to change. The only thing I am little concerned with is people jumping on Coach Bowden so quickly. Doing what he has done so far says a lot."

Austin is confident the tough schedule early will help the Tigers this weekend against FSU.

"They don't play easy teams. I think some people will step up and start being leaders this week against FSU. They can give FSU a game. They have just made a lot of mistakes the last two games. If they can cut out the mistakes, they are still a very good football team. Plus it is a lot easier to rebound from a loss to Texas A&M, a non-conference opponent, than a loss to another ACC school. They still have a shot to do some damage in conference play."

Austin has no doubts that this coaching staff is capable of making the same turnaround that happened last season.

"People need to trust Coach Bowden, they are gonna have a tough week of practice this week, and he will get them ready to play. I have talked to Coach Scott every week that he has been able to call me. He feels very confident that they are getting things done that they are working on."

Austin shed some light on what really made a huge impact on him during his recruiting process.

"During my process, I was blown away with their emphasis on academics. Kelvin Grant played wide receiver here at Camden. I know they have had some problems with him, but they stuck by him when most schools wouldn't have. They showed a lot of care about Kelvin. They worked hard to get him back on the right track, showing a lot of patience. Now, he has had two good games back-to-back."

This past Friday Camden played Manning. A match-up that put Austin versus fellow commitment Josh Miller.

"Josh is a tremendous athlete. He played everywhere on Friday night. We were able to keep him under 100 yards rushing, but he is a great player. He lined up at linebacker and safety on Friday. Clemson is getting a very good player and a even better person in Josh Miller."