Alexander Richard Joseph Austin Bio
Alexander Richard Joseph Austin is an American professional football cornerback currently playing for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 22, 2001, in Long Beach, California, Austin has established himself as a developing defensive player in the league after entering as a seventh-round draft pick in 2023. His journey through three teams in his first three seasons demonstrates the competitive nature of the NFL and his ability to earn roster spots through performance.
Early Life and Background
Austin grew up in Long Beach, California, where he attended the prestigious Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Known as Long Beach Poly, the school has a rich tradition of producing professional football players and is recognized as one of the top high school football programs in the United States. His formative years in this athletic environment helped develop the skills and football intelligence that would later serve him at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
After completing his standout high school career at Long Beach Poly, Austin continued his football journey at Oregon State University. He played for the Oregon State Beavers from 2019 to 2022, where he developed into a reliable cornerback with good coverage skills. Over his four collegiate seasons, Austin accumulated 141 tackles, including two for loss, along with one sack, four interceptions, 20 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. These performances caught the attention of NFL scouts and demonstrated his ability to contribute at the highest level of college football.
Alexander Richard Joseph Austin Career
Buffalo Bills (2023)
Austin entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick in 2023, selected 252nd overall by the Buffalo Bills in that year’s draft. His selection represented the culmination of years of development from high school through college. However, his time with the Bills was brief, as he was waived on August 29, 2023, during final roster cuts.
Houston Texans (2023)
Shortly after being waived by the Bills, Austin was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans on August 30, 2023. He competed for playing time in a Texans secondary that featured several young defensive backs. Austin appeared in games during the early portion of the season before being waived on October 14 and signed to the practice squad. He was later released from the practice squad on November 1, 2023, but his stint with the Texans provided additional NFL experience.
New England Patriots Era (2023–2025)
Austin signed with the New England Patriots on November 2, 2023, marking the beginning of his most significant tenure in the NFL. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, recording his first career interception on December 31 during a Week 17 matchup against his former team, the Buffalo Bills. This milestone marked a turning point in his young career and demonstrated his ability to make plays in crucial moments. Austin finished the 2023 season with nine tackles and two pass deflections in limited defensive appearances.
The 2024 season saw Austin earn a more prominent role in the Patriots defense. However, his season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on September 28 after suffering an injury in Week 3 against the New York Jets. He spent nearly two months recovering before being activated on November 18. Despite the injury setback, Austin contributed eight tackles and five pass deflections during the 2024 campaign. He was again placed on injured reserve on November 25, 2025, and was activated on January 17, 2026, ahead of the Patriots’ Divisional Round playoff matchup against the Houston Texans.
Miami Dolphins (2026–Present)
On March 12, 2026, Austin signed with the Miami Dolphins, joining a franchise with playoff aspirations. This move represented a new chapter in his career and an opportunity to compete in the competitive AFC East division from a different perspective.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Austin displays solid footwork and instincts in coverage, allowing him to stay with receivers through their routes. His length at the cornerback position, listed at 6 feet 1 inch, enables him to contest catches effectively and disrupt passing lanes. His ball skills, evidenced by his four interceptions at Oregon State and his NFL debut pickoff, indicate good awareness and the ability to make game-changing plays when quarterbacks test his coverage.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant moment in Austin’s early career came on December 31, 2023, when he recorded his first career NFL interception against the Buffalo Bills, his former team. This play provided a memorable highlight and validated his progression from draft pick to contributing NFL player. His ability to earn spots on multiple rosters through three seasons demonstrates his resilience and adaptability within the league.
Alexander Richard Joseph Austin Career Statistics
Through his first three NFL seasons, Austin has contributed as a rotational defensive back and special teams player across three different organizations. His statistical output reflects limited starting opportunities while showing his ability to make plays when given chances on the field.
NFL Career Stats
Austin has appeared in multiple games across his seasons with the Bills, Texans, and Patriots, contributing primarily as a nickel cornerback and special teams performer. His career totals through 2025 include 31 total tackles, eight pass deflections, and one interception. The interception, recorded against his former team during his debut season with the Patriots, stands as a personal milestone and demonstrates his capability to make impactful plays.
College Statistics (Oregon State)
Before his NFL career, Austin posted impressive numbers during his four seasons at Oregon State. He recorded 141 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, 20 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown. These statistics illustrate his versatility and consistency as a collegiate defender.
| Competition Level | Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career (2023-2025) | 31 | 1 | 8 |
| Oregon State (2019-2022) | 141 | 4 | 20 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of perseverance for Austin with the New England Patriots. He opened the season as part of the defensive rotation in the secondary and appeared in games through the early portion of the schedule. His contributions came primarily in subpackage situations and on special teams, where his tackling ability and coverage skills provided value to the Patriots’ coaching staff.
Austin suffered an injury during Week 3 against the New York Jets that ultimately required him to be placed on injured reserve on September 28. The injury forced him to miss significant playing time during the heart of the season. He was activated from injured reserve on November 18, rejoining the Patriots defense for the stretch run of the regular season. Despite the injury interruption, he maintained his role in the defensive scheme upon his return.
The Patriots placed Austin on injured reserve again on November 25, 2025, bringing his regular season to an early end. He was activated on January 17, 2026, for the team’s AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Houston Texans, marking his return to game action following the second injury of the season. His activation for a playoff contest indicated the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities and his importance to the team’s defensive plans going forward.