Tavon Austin was a superstar at West Virginia — a human highlight reel. And although his NFL career never materialized in the way many expected, Austin will forever be remembered for his dominance at the college level.
In four seasons at West Virginia, Austin hauled in 288 receptions for 3,413 yards and 29 touchdowns. He added another 1,033 yards and six scores on the ground, and 2,840 yards and five touchdowns as a return man. He really did do it all.
Most of Austin’s production came over his final three years, including a record-setting senior season that saw him earn First Team All-American, First Team All-Big-12, First Team All-Big East and Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year honors.
This week, Austin and his girlfriend put on a highlight reel from his Mountaineer days and showed it to their daughter, Ayva. What transpired has taken the Internet by storm.
Tavon Austin showing his daughter his college mixtape for the first time is so wholesome 🥹 (via anakar1a_/TT) pic.twitter.com/o3NBK1JsIq
— Overtime (@overtime) January 19, 2024
It takes the young Ayva a moment to realize she’s watching her father but when she does, her entire face lights up. Her eyes get wide and she’s transfixed by the athletic prowess of the man she calls “Daddy.”
It’s a truly wholesome moment.
Following his senior season, Austin was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round (8th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. His professional career spanned 10 years and six different teams but failed to live up to the bar he set at West Virginia.
Despite that, Austin and Ayva can always look back fondly as his dominant success in college and find solace in knowing that he will eventually be enshrined in the WVU Sports Hall of Fame.
