York Lions receiver William Austin has been developing off-season chemistry with fellow quarterback Myles Gibbons. Austin will rely heavily on Gibbons if he hopes to repeat as an OUA all-star. He is the first Lion to have earned all-star status since 2007.
Is this the year of WIlliam Austin?
York Lions’ star wideout William Austin is coming off a very impressive 2012 campaign, which ended with him being named a second-team OUA all-star, becoming the first Lions’ player to earn all-star status since 2007. En route to earning all-star status, Austin caught 34 passes for 587 yards, adding a touchdown along the way.
While his 2012 stat-line is pretty to look at, all indicators point to Austin having an even bigger season in his final year at York.
Austin developed a strong chemistry with quarterback Myles Gibbon last season, catching at least four passes in seven games. The tandem improved each week, proving to be deadly down the stretch, with Austin eclipsing 100 yards receiving in three of the team’s final four games.
Mike Comeau believes the Gibbon-to-Austin connection will be “night and day” compared to last season.
Despite both Austin and Gibbon putting up big numbers in their first season together, Lions’ offensive coordinator Mike Comeau believes the Gibbon-to-Austin connection will be “night and day” compared to last season.
Gibbon was thrown to the dogs, having joined the team late in the off-season and becoming a starter just five days into training camp last spring, but with a full off-season under its belt, the dynamic duo should make waves once it hits the field in late August. Both men have been putting in long hours over the spring, hoping to strengthen their on-field relationship by doing all the right things off of it. The two became inseparable during the team’s spring practices, says Comeau, saying the two can often be seen together, working on the route tree before and after practice.
The Lions’ coaching staff is giving Austin every opportunity to succeed this season, moving their reliable receiver from the field spot to the boundary. The boundary spot is considered a glamour position for receivers, most often reserved for a team’s elite talent. The move to boundary receiver means Gibbon will be able to get the ball out to Austin much more quickly, which could result in some massive numbers for Austin in 2013.
Football players write their stories on the field; however it is all about the detailed work away from the stadium that truly makes a player special. While Austin may not have been born with the greatest physical gifts, Comeau notes that it is his tireless work ethic that has placed him in the position he is in today.
“William is a real student of the game; he takes an academic approach to it. He is a very detailed football player, works hard at his craft, and goes the extra mile to put in the detailed work. Will is always working on little things on his own time.”
However, everyone has a weakness, and if there is one area Austin needs to work on, it is his strength. If he can add some power to his game, the sky is the limit as far as Austin’s football career goes.
“He is real good in all the other aspects; [he] runs great routes, has great hands,” says Comeau, “If there’s anything Will needs to improve, maybe put on five pounds of muscle. Will is doing that; he is in the gym every day. If he can just get a little bit stronger, I believe he can be one of the elite receivers in the OUA.”
Expectations are high for both Austin and the Lions’ football program heading into this season, but if all goes off without a hitch, Austin should once again be a contender for OUA all-star honours.
Ryan McCabe
Sports and Health Editor
