All Alex Austin ever needed was a chance. All the 22-year-old cornerback wanted was an opportunity to showcase his raw ability. In a way, Austin has been mentally preparing for this moment his entire life. Born in Long Beach, where distractions were everywhere, Alex had to find a way to stay focused and out of trouble. At the age of six, he discovered his passion, football.
“I started playing the game my father put me in just to keep me out of trouble,” Austin said.
Most football players, like all people, have role models. Uniquely, Austin had the luxury of developing a close relationship with, a Patriots legend, Willie McGinest. Yes, that’s the same Willie McGinest who won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. So, how did McGinest find his way into Austin’s life?
Austin went on to play for the Long Beach Patriots and was coached by McGinest, whom he refers to as his uncle. Through countless hours of coaching, McGinest taught Austin life lessons, including how to conduct himself like a pro at a young level. When talking to Austin’s coaches, one thing remained the same: his ablity to respect everyone and be a natural leader, on and off the field.
Transitioning from Pop Warner to competing at the high school level, Austin’s determination and skill set remained the same. After three years of playing at Long Beach Poly High School under coach Antonio Pierce, a new coach was hired at Long Beach Poly. Head coach Stephen Barbee. Coach Barbee had the tall task of learning the ins and outs of Long Beach Patriots football. Austin’s work ethic stood out from Day 1.
“As far as not knowing any of the kids coming into this job, his work ethic was elite. From a high school ranking standpoint, there are a lot of players that were higher rank. But Alex pretty quickly asserted himself, just through his work ethic,” Barbee said.
Part of what made him stand out was his ability to be a football player and play whatever position was necessary. While his football journey began on the offensive side of the ball, eventually he started to play more and more defense.
“It was always, ‘Whatever you need, coach,'” Barbee said.
Throughout his career, Austin’s versatility on the football field has always been one of his top traits. He embraced playing multiple positions.
“I love football. I feel like I’m a true football player. Anywhere you put me on the field, I’m going to bring value,” Austin said.
Even his teammates admired his work ethic and how he conducted himself.
“You never heard of Alex getting in trouble off the field, which led other players to do the same,” said Austin’s former teammate Damaje Yancey. “What makes a good leader, though, is he is able to connect with everyone on the team. Real funny, down-to-earth guy,” Yancey stated.”
Coach Barbee had no trouble convincing coaches that Austin was the real deal. The Long Beach native commited to Oregon State University after high school.
“As a team leader and as, honestly, one of the best athletes that we had on the team and, when colleges would come asking about players, he was the one that I was pointing out first; this is the kid that’s under the radar that you need to take a look at,” Barbee said.
At Oregon State, Austin played all four years, appearing in 36 games and recording 140 tackles, four interceptions, 24 passes defended, three fumble recoveries, and one sack.
One thing you might not know about Austin is his love for giving back to the community. It’s not a surprise that Alex enjoys volunteering in the community as both his parents are civil servants. In 2022, Austin used his NIL money to create his scholarship, the Alex Austin Overcoming Adversity Scholarship.
“I’m extremely blessed & fortunate to be able to launch my Overcoming Adversity Scholarship, created in partnership with Access Scholarships and Hirect,” Austin tweeted in February of 2022. “The scholarship is open to all US high school and college students. Head over to the link in my bio to apply now!”
The scholarship provides aid to disadvantaged high school or undergraduate students, offering 5 $1,000 prizes. To apply for the scholarship, students must have a 2.5 GPA and write a 500-word essay about a challenge they encountered. This year, the deadline to apply is April 15, 2024.
“This scholarship is important to me because I know that everyone battles with adversity at some point in their life,” Austin said via his scholarship website. “I had to overcome adversity to get me where I am today. I want to give back to students who have shown resilience in overcoming challenges.”
One of Austin’s goals is to help out more in Foxborough and the greater Boston area. He plans on helping out in the community before next season.
The transition to the NFL didn’t come easy at first for the rookie. In the 2023 draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Austin with the 252nd pick in the seventh round. And, before the roster-cutdown deadline at the end of the summer, the Bills waived the 22-year old. His release was partly due to the number of defensive backs on the Bills’ roster. Before Buffalo could sign Austin back to the practice squad, the Texans claimed the cornerback off waivers.
His stint with the Texans didn’t last long, and he was released on October 14 and was waived again. This time the Patriots claimed the cornerback due to depth and injury concerns. On November 2, the Patriots signed Austin to the 53-man roster.
Besides having a connection with McGinest, the 22-year-old had several other Long Beach connections in New England. Former cornerback Jack Jones and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster were two players Austin had already been familiar with.
“Jack and I played on the same Pop Warner team and the same high school,” Austin said at his first media availability. “Now, we’re on the same NFL team. It’s surreal.”
Although he was a healthy scratch on gameday for his first two contests, Austin made his Patriots debut in primetime on Thursday Night Football against the Steelers. Coming into a historic franchise, there must have been some pressure, especially with your uncle winning three Super Bowls…right? Well, not for Austin, who’s learned how to deal with stress and pressure on a professional level.
“Pressure is all an illusion in your mind,” he states.
It wasn’t all easy at first, and it took guidance from older veterans in the locker room, like Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills and Matthew Slater, to help him acclimate to the Patriots locker room. With all three of them sharing insights and lessons with Austin, he didn’t take long to make plays on the football field.
“He’s somebody who never missed a workout, did what was ever needed, and brought along his teammates,” Coach Barbee said.
Austin studies the films of veterans like Jalen Ramsey and former Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore and tries to replicate his game off them. Austin notes that Gilmore is a “technician” at the line of scrimmage with his feet.
After having a rough start in his rookie season, Austin found his groove late in the season and became a force for the Patriots. During his last five games of the season, opposing quarterbacks completed 2/11 (18%) passes when targeting the rookie corner. Revenge against his former team was just the cherry on top for Austin.
In Week 17 at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, the cornerback pinpointed a deep pass from Josh Allen and made a leaping catch, recording his first pro interception.
During his first offseason, he doesn’t want to take a moment for granted. He aims to get better at his technique and is committed to getting stronger and faster. He wants to come back even more explosive to have a breakout in his second year. Currently, Austin is an ERFA. An exclusive rights-free agent is a player with two or fewer seasons in the NFL and an expired contract. All the Patriots now have to do is extend a qualify contract to Austin. If they do that, he’ll re-sign with the team. As a result, Austin will be unable to negotiate with other squads.
Through perseverance and his unwavering work ethic on and off the field, Austin has continuously defeated any challenges that have been thrown his way. His resilience and dedication have given him the opportunity of a lifetime. And he will do everything he can to carve his path in professional football.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
