Alex Austin

Alex Austin was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on November 2, 2023 ... Originally drafted by Buffalo in the seventh round (252nd overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft ... Released by Buffalo (8/29/23) ... Claimed off waivers from Buffalo and awarded to Houston (8/30/23) ... Released by Houston (10/14/23) ... Signed by Houston to the practice squad (10/18/23) ... Released by Houston from the practice squad (11/1/23).

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Alex Austin was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on November 2, 2023 ... Originally drafted by Buffalo in the seventh round (252nd overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft ... Released by Buffalo (8/29/23) ... Claimed off waivers from Buffalo and awarded to Houston (8/30/23) ... Released by Houston (10/14/23) ... Signed by Houston to the practice squad (10/18/23) ... Released by Houston from the practice squad (11/1/23).

Seasonal reviews

2024 (9/3)

• Key member of the special teams unit.
• Played on defense for the first time in 2024 at the New York Jets (9/19), seeing snaps at cornerback in addition to his role on special teams.
• Placed on injured reserve on Sept. 28.
• Activated off injured reserve on Nov. 18.
• Returned to action at Miami (11/24) and contributed on special teams after missing the previous 8 games on injured reserve.
• Saw his first snaps on defense since his return from injury vs. Indianapolis (12/1). Recorded his first tackle of the season and 2 passes defensed, one on a pass from QB Anthony Richardson intended for WR Michael Pittman Jr. on a third-and-12 situation in the second quarter to force a punt and another on a pass intended for WR Alec Pierce on a first-and-10 situation in the fourth quarter.
• Made his first start of the season at Buffalo (12/22) in place of the injured CB Marcus Jones, marking his second-career start, finishing with 2 tackles and 1 pass defensed. Started for the first time vs. Kansas City on Dec. 17, 2023.
• Made his second start of the season vs. the L.A. Chargers (12/28) in place of the injured CB Marcus Jones. Finished with 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted) and 1 pass defensed.

2023 (5/1)

• Was signed by New England on Nov. 2 after spending time with Houston. He went to training camp with Buffalo after being drafted by the Bills in the seventh round.
• Played in a total of five games with one start with New England. He finished with 9 tackles (7 solo, 2 assists), one interception and 2 passes defensed.
• He was inactive for the first four games he was with New England.
• Made his Patriots debut at Pittsburgh (12/7) as a reserve defensive back.
• Made his first NFL start and first start for the Patriots vs. Kansas City (12/17) and finished with three total tackles. He played every defensive snap.
• Registered his first-career pick at Buffalo (12/31) when he intercepted Buffalo QB Josh Allen in the second quarter on a deep pass down the sideline.

2023 (3/0 - Houston)

• Saw action as a reserve defensive back in three games after being claimed by Houston following his release from Buffalo. Did not record any statistics.
• Was claimed off waivers after being released by Buffalo at the end of training camp.
• Spent time on the Houston practice squad after being released from the 53-man roster on Oct. 14 and was released on Nov. 1 from the practice squad.
• Made his NFL debut at Jacksonville (9/24).

Extra Points

• Refers to close family friend and Patriots Hall of Famer Willie McGinest as his Uncle.
• Attended the same middle school, high school, and played pop warner with Las Vegas Raiders CB Jack Jones.

College

• Throughout his four years at Oregon State, he played in 36 games and tallied 140 tackles, 4 interceptions, 24 pass es defensed, 3 fumble recoveries and 1 sack.
• Earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention status in 2022 after starting in all 12 games and racking up 57 tackles, 2 interceptions, 10 passes defensed, a sack and a fumble recovery.
• Named Pac-12 Defensive player of the week vs. Colorado (10/22/22) after collecting three tackles and a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown.
• Had 9 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception in the season opener vs. Boise State (9/3/22).
• Started in all 13 games in 2021, tallying 47 tackles, 7 passes defensed and 2 interceptions to earn All-Pac-12 honorable mention.

Personal

• His father, Al Austin , is a Long Beach City Councilman.
• His mother, Daysha Austin, is a District Director for State Assembly.