Blessuan Austin – Noteworthy
Blessuan Austin has a message for the team he will join during or after April’s NFL Draft. “I know whatever organization picks me or signs me, once this knee heals up, it’s a wrap,” the former Rutgers cornerback said Friday after pro day. “I’m going to take over from there. I know it’s the next level and guys are talented, but I feel like people haven’t seen my full talent yet because of this knee.” That knee is what short-circuited Austin’s Scarlet Knights career. He tore his ACL four games into his junior season in 2017, missing the rest of the year.
Austin then worked his way back and was expected to be a key player for Rutgers as a senior last fall, only to re-injure his knee after making a leaping interception in the season opener against Texas State, again requiring year-ending surgery. Over six months later, Austin ran for scouts for the first time Friday after skipping field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. His 40-yard dash time did not wow – an unofficial best of 4.65 seconds – but Austin was pleased he proved he is healing and coming along. Austin also had a 35-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump. – NJ.com
