Marvin Austin

Marvin Austin (born January 10, 1989 in Washington, D.C.) is an American football defensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina.

Early years
Austin attended Ballou High School in Washington, D.C., which he led to their first D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association title in 2006. He was named High School All-Metro First Team by Washington Post in 2005 and 2006. In 2005, he helped Coolidge High School (also in Washington, D.C.) to the DCIAA title game for the first time since 1986. Following his high school career, Austin played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Austin was recruited by numerous top programs around the country including Florida State, Southern California and University of Tennessee. Austin was considered an elite prospect and was ranked third overall in the country in Scout.com's final rankings and was USA Today's National Defensive Player of the Year. On National Signing Day 2007, Austin committed to play his collegiate ball at the University of North Carolina.

College career
In his true freshman year at North Carolina, Austin played in all 12 season games and started in three. He finished the season with 26 tackles, 6.0 tackles for losses, and 4.0 sacks.

In 2008, Austin played in 13 games and started 11. He tied with E.J. Wilson for most tackles by a Carolina defensive lineman with 38, had 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception (returned for touchdown), and 1 blocked kick. He had three tackles, assisted on a tackle for loss and had one quarterback pressure in the win over Notre Dame, and earned coaches "player of the game" honors for his performance.

In his junior season Austin was selected second-team All-ACC. For the season, Austin finished with 42 tackles, 6.0 tackles for losses, four sacks, three pass breakups, six quarterback pressures, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

After an excellent junior season, Austin was viewed as a potential top-10 draft pick. However before he could build on his draft stock, he was suspended along with 13 other North Carolina players for receiving improper benefits. Austin along with Tar Heels pass rusher Robert Quinn, receiver Greg Little and three others were suspended the entire 2010 season. North Carolina still had enough talent to finish 8-5 and beat Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.

Even though he was dismissed from the UNC football team, Austin represented the school in the 2011 East-West Shrine Game on January 22, 2011. He scored a touchdown by recovering a fumble by Texas A&M Aggies' starting quarterback Jerrod Johnson 3 yards out of the endzone.

Austin came under heavy fire in the NFL draft process. Despite having a good East-West Shrine game, his character and judgement came under question to scouts. Reports of him skipping the wonderlic test and finger-pointing in interviews reportedly disappointed some NFL personnel.

New York Giants
In the 2011 NFL Draft Austin was selected 52nd overall by the New York Giants. Giants general manager Jerry Reese stated he consulted Austin's teammate at UNC Hakeem Nicks prior to the selection. Austin said Nicks was the first person to call him after he was drafted. Prior to the draft Austin was heavily scouted by the Chicago Bears. Bears coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli visited Austin and "spent a goodly amount of time with him."

On August 22, Austin's season was cut short as he tore his pectoral muscle during a preseason game against the Bears. He was placed on injured reserve on August 30.

Austin saw his first appearance come in the Giants' second game of the 2012 NFL season, when the Giants played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Personal life
Austin is the son of Donna Johnson.