Since 1996, AJ has covered more than 1,000 college basketball and 150 college football games, mostly in the ACC. He spent 10 years with the Wilmington Star-News before joining Buster and has covered Final Fours, Stanley Cup Finals, MLB, Tennis and PGA events. He has written for Inside Carolina, Pack Pride, ACC Sports Journal, Basketball Times, Eastern Basketball and more. He has hosted radio shows in Wilmington and Raleigh N.C.
Friday, July 3, 2009 3:00 AM
Posted By: Andrew Jones In: ACC
Now is the time for Marvin Austin to finally turn in the great season that has escaped him so far.
He anchors a deep North Carolina defensive line loaded with talent and potential, but one that hasn’t tapped into that ability enough over the last two seasons. Each Tar Heels lineman has performed well in stretches, but consistency has been an issue, and they are still waiting for one of them to emerge a star.
That responsibility now falls on the shoulders of Austin, who came to UNC rated as the top lineman prospect in the nation.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Austin turned in a solid rookie campaign, earning First-Team Freshman All-America honors. But he didn’t live up to legitimate expectations last year. His 26 tackles ‑ six for a loss of yardage, including four sacks in 2007 ‑ dropped off to 21 tackles with just one-and-a-half for a loss of yards and only one sack a year ago.
Those numbers must improve for the Tar Heels – 8-5 a year ago - to continue progressing in the third year of the Butch Davis era. But Austin needs to stand out as the star he is in every other way. Leadership skills are written all over him, but he can’t hold that role without producing like one.
The Washington, D.C., native has a magnetic personality. He is always smiling, has a joke to tell at every turn – if you’re not careful, it could be about you – and he is someone who clearly loves every aspect of life.
Television adores athletes who love themselves and wear it on their sleeves. That doesn’t exactly describe Austin, but it could describe a portrayal of him ‑ one that ESPN and everyone else will milk repeatedly.
Austin is exactly the kind of star UNC and the ACC needs. If he turns in a season with 40 tackles and seven or eight sacks, plus a fumble return for a touchdown that draws national highlights, he will get plenty of national attention.
Add to that a stirring personality with a huge smile, braided hair, a Run DMC clock ‑ or something throwback around his neck ‑ and gusto for everything he does, and you have someone who could put an imprint on this program like few have before him.
The time is now for Austin and the Tar Heels.
Andrew Jones is in his 14th year covering major college sports and can be reached at AJones@BusterSports.com.
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