Panthers Sign Former Memphis OL Austin Myers
February 8, 2024 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bay Area Panthers News Release
The Panthers believe they have added a difference-maker up front with the signing of former Memphis offensive lineman Austin Myers.
"Austin has a great combination of strength, athletic ability and quick processing that allows him to get the job done at a high level," said Bay Area Head Coach Rob Keefe. "We are excited to see him perform and execute his technique in the trenches."
Myers and Panthers offensive line coach Dixie Wooten III have a history going back to their time in the same church as kids. They went to elementary and middle school together and stayed connected despite going to different high schools. Myers attended Manvel High School and Wooten ended up at Lamar High School.
"We still would see each other at linemen challenges and 7-on-7 tournaments," said Myers. "We were always running into each other, and I've known Dixie pretty much my whole life."
They stayed connected through college after Myers went to TCU and Wooten at the University of Houston.
At TCU, Myers won an Alamo Bowl, faced big-time competition and earned a degree. But there was unfinished business that led to searching for a new school to wrap up his college career.
"It was time for a change of scenery. I had my degree and things were different there," said Myers. "For what I was trying to achieve, it was best for me to enter the portal. It was like high school all over again."
Myers heard from Missouri, Florida State and UNLV among others before deciding on Memphis.
In 2021, Myers suffered a fractured fibula in Game 4 that ended his season. But he came back to have a solid season in 2022.
Then followed minicamp with the New York Giants and had contacts with the USFL and CFL. With a passion for the sport, Myers reached out to Wooten which led to his signing with the Panthers.
"I've got a lot left in me. I know this is a tough business," said Myers. "I still want to chase my dreams and I'm excited to take this path to get there. I made a promise to myself that whatever situation comes about, I want to win with it."
The Houston native is eager to be a positive influence and leader in the locker room. It's a quality he took pride in from his time in college. He earned the nickname "Unc", short for "Uncle", as the wise sage, offering words of wisdom to younger players.
"Sometimes when you're young and you hear advice, it goes in one ear and out the other," said Myers, echoing the thoughts of many parents. "A lot of things I was telling them, they would eventually see that I was right. "
Myers didn't play in the era of leather helmets but does have a poster in his room showcasing the time when players wore helmets with a single bar that would become the facemasks of today. He's a throwback who has seen the game evolve in recent years.
"When I first went to college, we had real two-a-days: Pads in the morning and pads in the evening. It wasn't wearing shorts in the morning and pads in the evening. We put on pads as soon as we rolled out of bed," said Myers. "I was able to see the NIL come into play, I played during the pandemic when there were posters of fake people in the stands. That was a weird time."
Like many linemen, Myers views 49ers star Trent Williams as the gold standard. Unlike the others, Myers has first-hand experience: getting the opportunity to train with Williams in Houston.
"He's different with things you can't teach like going to a basketball gym and being able to hoop like a guard at 6'5", 325 pounds," said Myers. "He's a beast but humble. When we worked out, he didn't' say much because he was there for business. But he did show us his nice cars to inspire us."
After earning rings by winning a pair of college bowl games, Myers feels the Panthers give him the best chance to pick up more jewelry immediately at the pro level. He's out to win and improve to take his game to the highest level.
"I'm the toughest critic on myself and I want to be more dominant consistently. I may be dominant at times but to separate myself, that's something I need to focus on. Doing that would open some eyes," said Myers.
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Indoor Football League Stories from February 8, 2024
- Blizzard Sign Defensive Back Jamauri Laguerre - Green Bay Blizzard
- Greg Dent Jr. Signs for the 2024 Season - Duke City Gladiators
- Northern Arizona Wranglers Sign Wide Receiver Kobay White - Northern Arizona Wranglers
- San Diego Re-Signs Receiver Jordan Kress - San Diego Strike Force
- Tucson Signs Defensive Backs Rogria Lewis, Kyriq McDonald - Tucson Sugar Skulls
- Panthers Sign Former Memphis OL Austin Myers - Bay Area Panthers
- Ryan McIntyre Re-Signs with Tulsa - Tulsa Oilers
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