Thomas Austin (American football)

Thomas Austin (born November 14, 1986) is an American football center for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Clemson.

He has also been a member of the New England Patriots.

Early years
Austin attended Camden High School in Camden, South Carolina, where he played every position along the offensive line. He was a four-year letterman in football, and played on the AAA state title team as a freshman offensive tackle. He was an all-county, all-region, and all-area selection as a junior and senior. As a senior, he was named the top offensive lineman in South Carolina by The State. He was also named to all-state teams by The State, High School Sports Report, and SCVarsity.com. He was the upstate Lineman of the Year as a senior, and a Shrine Bowl starter at offensive tackle. Rivals.com rated him among the top ten Shrine Bowl players, and as the No. 20 offensive guard in the nation and the ninth best prospect in South Carolina.

He was also a three-year letterman in wrestling in high school, posting a 66-4 career record. He won the AAA state title as a junior and was a state finalist and North/South All-Star as a senior.

College career
Austin chose to attend Clemson University over Maryland, Penn State, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest. He redshirted as a freshman in 2005 and was named the offensive scout team player of the year by the Clemson coaching staff. In 2006, Austin played 177 snaps, posting 22 knockdown blocks and three intimidation blocks. As a sophomore in 2007, he started 12 games, including four at right guard and eight at center. He led the team in knockdown blocks with 90 and in offensive snaps with 780. He was twice named Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week and was an honorable mention sophomore All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com.

In 2008, as a junior, Austin started 13 games and was three times named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week, while leading his team with 98 knockdown blocks. He was named to the All-ACC second team as a center after the season. In 2009, Austin started every game again as a senior co-captain, and was named to the All-ACC second team for a second straight season, this time as a guard. He was also named a third team All-American by Sporting News, and led his team with 112 knockdown blocks in 2009.

Minnesota Vikings
After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, Austin signed with the Minnesota Vikings on April 24, 2010. He was waived by the team during final cuts on September 4, 2010.

New England Patriots
The New England Patriots signed Austin to their practice squad on September 29, 2010. He was re-signed to a future contract on January 20, 2011. He was waived on September 3.

Houston Texans
On September 4, he was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans. He was waived during cutdown day on September 1st, 2012

Second stint with New England Patriots
The New England Patriots signed Austin to their practice squad on September 1, 2012. On October 2nd, 2012, Austins contract was terminated.

Carolina Panthers
On October 11, Austin signed with the Carolina Panthers, one day after Panthers Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury.