The next big thing?

By Stefen Lovelace | Sun reporter

October 21, 2007

Wearing slightly faded jeans that hang low but comfortably over white sneakers, Tavon Austin glides through the busy hallway of Dunbar High.

Under his left arm, he carries a notebook and a binder. On his wrists are names tattooed in dark, cursive lettering. His grandmother's name, Louann, is on his right wrist. His mother's name, Cathy, is on his left.

Girls walk up to him and pull at his oversized hoodie, which drapes loosely over a lime-green collared polo shirt. They giggle as they say his name. He can't help but smile.

Farther down the hall, some football players lean casually against dark blue, rusting lockers. The afternoon sun shines through and illuminates their laughing faces.

When Austin approaches the group, he blends in easily, trading barbs and slapping hands with friends. Austin is soft-spoken, but when he talks, everyone listens.

It's good to be Tavon Austin.

College coaches are enamored of Dunbar's superstar running back, and they hope to bring his skills and speed to their campuses in 2009.

Dunbar faculty and alumni watch him with pride, as his ability shines a spotlight on the program. His classmates and teammates cheer him on and want to see him one day play in "The League."

They all gravitate toward this 17-year-old because they wonder what he can become. Will he be The Next Big Thing?

This scene plays itself out across the United States, from California to Maine. Austin, a junior, is trying to join an exclusive group of athletes who carry that "wow" factor. He's the type of athlete who could be the next LaDainian Tomlinson or Reggie Bush.

Austin stands just 5 feet 9 and weighs 160 pounds, but with a football in his hands he's one of the most exciting players in Baltimore.

"He's the type of kid, when you put the ball in his hands, he's going to score," Dunbar coach Lawrence Smith said. "That's a luxury for a coach, knowing that anytime he touches the ball, we may get six out of it."

He looks effortless doing it.

Against Lake Clifton on Oct. 12, the Poets faced fourth-and-20. Rather than punt, they gave the ball to Austin. He weaved through the Lakers' defense for a 52-yard touchdown.

"The first time he touched the ball, the first practice of his freshman year, I knew he would be special," Smith said. "His vision was remarkable. His speed and vision, you just can't teach that."

In demand

When the final school bell rings, Austin leaves the loud and crowded hallways and steps into Smith's office.

Stacks of envelopes and letters await him.

Austin's smile fades and his expression becomes serious when he starts sifting through the envelopes, with return addresses from universities like Alabama, Illinois, Ohio State, Auburn, Syracuse, Arizona State and Florida State. In each envelope is a letter from a football coach or athletic director asking about him.

Managing his future has become a full-time gig.

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