Brent Austin

NFL Draft Profile: Brent Austin

Position: Cornerback | School: California (via USF/JMU) | Class: Senior

Height: 5'11" | Weight: 180 lbs | Archetype: Man

College Career Summary

Brent Austin is the definition of a "climber" in college football. Starting his career at James Madison, he played a rotational role before exploding onto the scene at South Florida (USF) in 2024. As a full-time starter for the Bulls, he recorded 48 tackles and a team-high 10 pass breakups, proving he could handle high-volume targets in the American Athletic Conference.

Seeking to test his skills at the Power Four level, Austin transferred to California for his senior year in 2025. He didn't just survive in the ACC; he thrived. Austin finished the 2025 season tied for second in the nation with 13 pass breakups and was named a Third-Team All-ACC selection. His most iconic moment came against North Carolina, where he forced a fumble on the goal line in the final seconds to secure a victory. He leaves college with 110+ tackles and 25 pass breakups, cementing his status as one of the most productive "disruption" corners in the class.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 40 (13 in 2025)

• Total Tackles: 110 (42 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 0.5

• Sacks: 0.0

• Interceptions: 3 (None in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 25 (13 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 2 (Both in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
@ Oregon State	3 Tkl, 1 FF, 1 PD	A-	Mental Toughness. Forced a massive fumble to stall a drive.
vs. Texas Southern	1 PD	B	Quiet but efficient; credited with a PFF Team of the Week nod.
vs. Minnesota	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Physical in run support; solid disruption on third down.
@ San Diego State	1 Tkl	C+	One of his quieter outings; few targets his way.
@ Boston College	2 Tkl	B	Solid technique; eliminated the deep ball.
vs. Duke	3 Tkl	B	Aggressive on the perimeter; high effort.
vs. North Carolina	3 Tkl, 0.5 TFL, 1 FF	A+	Star Impact. Forced and recovered goal-line fumble for the win.
@ Virginia Tech	5 Tkl	B-	Worst Game. Targeted on several medium gains; tackling was average.
vs. Virginia	5 Tkl, 6 PD	A+	Play Recognition. Tied FBS record with 6 breakups in one game.
@ Louisville	1 Tkl, 3 PD	A	High Motor. Relentless pursuit; blanketed the #1 WR.
@ Stanford	4 Tkl	B+	Clean rivalry game; erased his side of the field.
vs. SMU	5 Tkl	B	Handled elite speed well; dependable tackling.
@ Hawaii (Bowl)	7 Tkl	A-	Stamina. High volume of work; active until the final whistle.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Disruption: Austin has a "sixth sense" for the ball. His 13 breakups in 2025 weren't accidents; he has elite Hand-Eye Coordination and timing at the catch point.

• Versatility: Having played in three different defensive systems (JMU, USF, Cal), he is a quick study with high Football IQ.

• Clutch Factor: He is a "big play" hunter. Whether it's a pick-six at JMU or a goal-line forced fumble at Cal, he thrives when the lights are brightest.

• Man-to-Man Prowess: Despite a leaner frame, he is "sticky" in coverage. He excels at mirroring releases and staying in the hip pocket of twitchy receivers.

Weaknesses

• Frame Density: At 5'11" and 180 lbs, he is well below the NFL's desired weight for boundary corners. He will be a target for physical "X" receivers and "box-out" specialists.

• Functional Strength: He can be washed out by climbing offensive linemen in the run game. He needs to add at least 10 lbs of muscle to survive the 17-game NFL grind.

• Over-Aggression: His desire to break up passes sometimes leads him to take risks on double moves. Disciplined NFL quarterbacks will test his eyes with pump fakes.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Slot/Nickel Corner in a Man-heavy system (e.g., Lions, Raiders, or Browns).

NFL Comparison: D.J. Reed (Jets)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 14/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 17/20 | IQ: 18/20

Final Grade: 86/100

Brent Austin is a player whose "dog" mentality outweighs his measurables. While he fails the 6'0"/200 lb "eye test," his production against high-level ACC competition is undeniable. He is a premier slot prospect who can compete for a starting "Star" or "Nickel" role immediately. His history of forced fumbles and pass breakups suggests a player who will contribute significantly to a team's turnover margin. He may fall to Day 3 because of his size, but some team will get a steal in a player who simply knows how to play corner.

Draft Projection: 5th Round