The West Virginia Mountaineers are by no means a college football powerhouse, but they have produced a solid handful of players that will live forever in the hearts and minds of college football fans.
Legendary West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver and returner Tavon Austin is one of those players. He announced via social media that he is retiring from the NFL Tuesday.
West Virginia Mountaineers WR Tavon Austin is an icon
Like the electric backfield of Pat White and Steve Slaton, Austin took the college football world by storm during his time in Morgantown.
Few players have had an effect on the landscape of college football and football media in general like Austin. His highlight tape when he was at West Virginia is so iconic that it continues to remain a part of the college football zeitgeist.
His college highlight video is widely considered the greatest highlight tape of all time, and it continues to be shared around the internet, especially during the late summer months when fans are thirsty for college football action
Former West Virginia star Tavon Austin has officially retired from football
It’s only right to show the GREATEST CFB highlight tape EVER #Legend https://t.co/FJ94Yn9hf3pic.twitter.com/CIBlbU5UrV
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 13, 2024
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In honor of Tavon Austin retiring…
The greatest highlight video in football history
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 13, 2024
Tavon Austin has one of the best college football highlight tapes of ALL-TIME 🔥
Thank you for all the memories; enjoy retirement!pic.twitter.com/xtVdekuKzw https://t.co/Bb9Ac06DrY
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 13, 2024
TAVON AUSTIN’s HIGHLIGHT REAL AT WEST VIRGINIA WAS THE GREATEST EVER.
HE WAS ON ANOTHER PLANET AT WVU
🐐🐐🐐
Congrats on one hell of a career, @Tayaustin01 🫡
pic.twitter.com/TLLGFtTB9Y https://t.co/duGBsnjmic— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 13, 2024
Tavon Austin failed to live up to expectations in the NFL
Austin set himself up with lofty NFL expectations after solidifying himself as one of the most explosive players in the nation during his time at West Virginia.
Unfortunately for Austin, he was never able to live up to those expectations. The 5-foot-8 wide receiver and return specialist carved out a solid career for himself that saw him stay in the league as a contributor for nearly a decade.
While he was able to contribute and stay in the league by showing flashes of what he accomplished in college, Austin never eclipsed more than 509 yards receiving in a season. He had a career-high five receiving touchdowns in 2015, but he failed to accrue more than 213 receiving yards in a season after 2016.
Austin returned a punt for a touchdown three times in his career, showing flashes of his return abilities. He even returned a punt 98 yards in his rookie season, but he was unable to make an impact on the field as a returner after 2015.
Austin hasn’t recorded an NFL stat since 2021 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he explained that he cherished his time in the NFL in an article from WBOY.
“I will forever cherish the time I spent in the NFL,” Austin wrote. “It has indeed been a privilege. Just like seasons, they come to an end, and it’s time for me to enter my next chapter in life.”
Fans are reminiscing on Tavon Austin’s days as a part of the West Virginia Mountaineers
Upon hearing the news of Austin’s retirement, fans began to reminisce and rewatch the explosive career of Austin.
His highlight reel continues to live in infamy as the blueprint for highlight reels that dominate the landscape of football media in the present day.
Was so exciting to watch him play college ball 🔥
— J (@juiceweb3) August 13, 2024
I went to my girls house and saw his highlights on her YouTube search bar. It’s how I found out she was cheating on me.
— Queers for Palestine (Parody) (@gay4palestin3) August 13, 2024
This video will survive generations
— Robert Krbashyan (@krbashrob) August 13, 2024
Greatest college highlight reel of all time. Surprised he wasn’t already retired, though.
— AJCFootball (@ajcfootball) August 13, 2024
Have watched that highlight reel about 100 times, never gets old
— Jose Ramirez MVP Szn (@JRam4MVP) August 13, 2024
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