Austin Larkin

Austin Blake Larkin, a former American football player, was born on April 6, 1995. He played as a defensive end, with his career beginning in high school and eventually leading him to play for teams in the National Football League (NFL). His journey took him from one position to another, from one team to another, and from dreams to reality. This is a detailed look into the life and career of Austin Larkin.

Larkin’s football career officially commenced during his school days in Dougherty Valley High School. He established himself as a multi-talented player, serving as a middle linebacker, tight end, and fullback. His performance gained attention, leading him to take a step further in his career at the University of Notre Dame. He was given the chance to participate as a linebacker in a single match during his freshman year in 2014. Although he didn’t record any stats in this game, Larkin continued to persevere.

In 2015, Larkin transferred to the City College of San Francisco. His coaches recognized that his abilities could be better utilized as a defensive end, a decision that undoubtedly changed the course of his career. As a sophomore, he executed 38 tackles (17 of which were for losses) and recorded 7 sacks. His efforts contributed to his college team winning the prestigious 2015 California Community College Athletic Association championship. The season was deemed a success with an impressive record of 12 wins and just one loss.

Just hours after finishing a game, Larkin took a red-eye flight to West Lafayette, Indiana. He had been offered a scholarship by Purdue University’s head coach, Darrell Hazell, an offer he gladly accepted. It was during his time at Purdue, as a junior in 2016, where Larkin appeared in 10 games, with him starting six of those games. He recorded 18 tackles (3.5 for loss) and managed 2.5 sacks. This stage of his life was testament to his unyielding dedication and love for the sport.

Transitioning to professional football, Larkin was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2018 NFL draft on May 11. However, his stint with the Cowboys was short-lived as he was waived on September 1, 2018. This did not deter Larkin, who quickly got signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football in September the same year. He played with the team till the league folded in April 2019.

Just over a month later, Larkin was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on May 29, 2019. After a brief period of being waived and later signed to the practice squad, he was soon promoted to the active roster. In what was a fluctuating period, Larkin was waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times across 2019 and 2020. In total, he appeared in 2 games, playing 26 snaps on special teams and 10 on defense.

After having a tryout with the Tennessee Titans, Larkin was signed by the Carolina Panthers on August 28, 2020. His tenure with the team saw him fluctuating between the practice squad and the active roster. His time at the Panthers came to an end on October 18, 2022.

On a personal note, it’s worth mentioning that Larkin comes from a sports-oriented family. He is the nephew of Barry Larkin, a former Major League Baseball player. This deep-seeded connection with sports in Austin Larkin’s family may have stoked his love for football from a young age, driving him towards a professional football career.