Tavon Austin Goes Deep for Johnny Manziel as First Guest on New Podcast

Game recognizes game, and that was evident when Johnny Manziel welcomed WVU legend Tavon Austin on the debut episode of his new podcast. The first episode of the “Glory Daze” podcast with Austin dropped on Thursday.

Maziel, a legendary college football super-star in his own right, offered Austin for his flowers his time as a Mountaineer while also asking him some personal questions about his journey.

Austin opened up about the disappointment of his professional career, something Manziel could relate to, explained what he hopes to achieve now that he’s retired and detailed what led to him picking West Virginia.

“I had some big time offers coming up. I think my biggest one at the time was Michigan. And the only reason at the time it was Michigan is because Rich Rod was at West Virginia, but then he had went there so he still wanted me. I had Georgia. You know, I had a couple big schools, but West Virginia was where my heart was at,” explained Austin.

After going through how Austin originally committed to Bill Stewart, Manziel labeled the arrival of Dana Holgorsen as a “match made in heaven” for the electrifying wide receiver.

It was never a doubt that we needed the highlight tape GOAT @Tayaustin01 to be the first guest on Glory Daze. Episode 1 out now 🤝. pic.twitter.com/4gtsQkSuR2

— Glory Daze Podcast (@glorydazepod) October 24, 2024

They even spent an entire argument on Austin’s 572 all-purpose yards against Oklahoma, a performance still talked about all over the country to this day.

Austin officially announced his retirement from football in August.

Originally drafted by the then St. Louis Rams, Austin put up strong numbers being used as a wide receiver/running back hybrid during his first three seasons in the NFL, but a change in the offensive scheme when the Rams hired current head coach Sean McVay led to a disappointing 2017 season.

Austin was then traded to Dallas the following season, but only started three NFL games since leaving St. Louis. All three of those games came with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he caught 24 passes for 213 yards. He spent time on the Bills’ practice squad and joined the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in 2023.

WVSN file photo

Austin was a star at WVU from 2009-12, accumulating 4,446 scrimmage yards throughout his four years in Morgantown. Austin’s WVU highlight tape is what he will always be remembered for from his college days. The Baltimore, Md. native was untouchable when he was in the open field. Austin scored 15 touchdowns his senior year.

Austin is WVU’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards and the only player in college football history to score a touchdown on a run, catch, punt return and kick return in the same season.

Find more coverage of Mountaineer legend Tavon Austin as he embarks on his life after football at WV Sports Now.