Alex Austin Bio
Alexander Richard Joseph Austin, known professionally as Alex Austin, is an American professional football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 22, 2001, in Long Beach, California, Austin has built his career through perseverance after going undrafted in name but selected late in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has spent time with three NFL franchises in his first three professional seasons, gradually establishing himself as a depth cornerback with starting experience.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 192 pounds, Austin brings the prototypical frame expected of an outside cornerback at the professional level. After developing his craft at Long Beach Polytechnic High School and Oregon State University, he has continued to grow within NFL defensive schemes, contributing on defense and special teams throughout his young career.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Richard Joseph Austin was born and raised in Long Beach, California, a city with a deep tradition of producing elite football talent. Growing up in this competitive football environment, Austin developed his athletic foundation early, surrounded by programs and teammates who pushed him to refine his skills as a defensive back.
Austin attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, commonly known as Long Beach Poly, one of the most storied football programs in the United States. The school has produced numerous professional athletes, and its demanding schedule and coaching staff helped prepare Austin for the rigors of college-level competition. His performance during his high school years earned him attention from college recruiters across the country.
Coming out of Long Beach Poly, Austin was regarded as a promising defensive back prospect with the size and physicality to compete at the next level. His development in the California high school ranks set the stage for his transition to the Pac-12 Conference, where he would spend the next four years continuing to sharpen his game.
Path to Professional Football
Following his high school career, Alexander Richard Joseph Austin committed to Oregon State University, where he played college football for the Beavers from 2019 through the 2022 season. His time in Corvallis marked a period of steady growth, as he worked his way into a consistent role within the Oregon State secondary and contributed across multiple defensive categories.
Over four college seasons, Austin compiled 141 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, 20 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. These numbers reflected his versatility as a defensive back, capable of contributing in run support, coverage, and as a playmaker when the ball came his way.
His combination of size, length, and on-field production at Oregon State helped position him as a late-round NFL Draft prospect. Scouts noted his physical tools and experience in college competition, leading to his selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and the beginning of his professional journey.
Alex Austin Career
Early Career (2023)
Alexander Richard Joseph Austin was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 252nd overall pick. His selection capped a college career at Oregon State and provided him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in one of the NFL’s most competitive defensive backfields.
Austin’s initial stint with the Bills was short-lived, as he was waived on August 29, 2023, during final roster cuts. The transition from draft pick to free agent happened quickly, but it opened the door for his next opportunity just one day later.
Houston Texans (2023)
On August 30, 2023, Alexander Richard Joseph Austin was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans, giving him a second chance to earn a roster spot early in his rookie season. The move to Houston represented his first experience joining a new organization mid-preseason and adjusting to a different defensive scheme.
His time with the Texans was brief. Austin was waived on October 14, 2023, and re-signed to the team’s practice squad the same day. He was released from the practice squad on November 1, 2023, ending his short tenure in Houston. Despite the rapid turnover, the experience exposed him to the speed and complexity of NFL-level game preparation.
New England Patriots (2023–Present)
On November 2, 2023, Alexander Richard Joseph Austin signed with the New England Patriots, marking the third team of his rookie season. The opportunity in New England provided him with the stability he had been seeking since draft weekend, and he quickly integrated into the Patriots’ defensive back rotation.
Austin recorded his first career NFL interception on December 31, 2023, in a Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, his original drafting team. He finished the 2023 season with nine total tackles and two pass deflections, showing flashes of the coverage skills that had made him a draft prospect just months earlier.
The 2024 season brought both opportunity and adversity for Austin. On September 28, 2024, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering an injury during a Week 3 game against the New York Jets. He was activated on November 18, 2024, and returned to contribute down the stretch. He finished the 2024 season with eight tackles and five pass deflections, demonstrating growth in his coverage responsibilities.
Driving Style and Strengths
Alexander Richard Joseph Austin plays with the physical traits prized in modern NFL cornerbacks, using his length and frame to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage. His college production at Oregon State, including four interceptions and 20 pass deflections, demonstrated an ability to read routes and disrupt the passing game. His special teams experience across multiple franchises has also contributed to his value as a versatile defensive back.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Alexander Richard Joseph Austin’s early career came on December 31, 2023, when he recorded his first career NFL interception against the Buffalo Bills, the team that had originally drafted him. The pick symbolized a full-circle moment in his rookie year and validated the perseverance he showed after being waived twice in his first professional season.
Alex Austin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Alexander Richard Joseph Austin’s immediate family and parental background is limited. He grew up in Long Beach, California, where he attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, a program renowned for producing professional football talent. Details about specific family members who influenced his football development are not widely documented.
Personal Life
Alexander Richard Joseph Austin maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his career through his verified accounts. Information about his marital status, spouse, or children has not been publicly confirmed in available sources. He continues to focus on his professional development as a member of the New England Patriots.
2025 Season Performance
Alexander Richard Joseph Austin entered the 2025 NFL season continuing his role with the New England Patriots as a depth cornerback with starting experience. After finishing the 2024 season with eight tackles and five pass deflections, he looked to build on his coverage production and remain a consistent contributor in the Patriots’ secondary rotation.
His 2025 campaign faced an early setback when, on November 25, 2025, Austin was placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. The placement marked the second consecutive season in which an injured reserve stint interrupted his playing time, following his 2024 placement after the Week 3 matchup against the New York Jets.
Despite the injury challenge, Austin’s experience within the Patriots’ defensive system and his familiarity with the team’s scheme positioned him as a contributor once healthy. His combination of size, coverage instincts, and special teams value made him a depth piece the Patriots valued as they navigated the back half of the 2025 schedule.