FINS FACT
While at Ohio State, Austin was considered to be one of the hardest working members of the team. He believes that his work ethic came from the values he was raised  with from his family. “It came from my parents and especially my grandpa (Kenny Spitler),” Austin said. “The best way to put it is they never let me do anything the easy way. They always wanted me to work for what I got. I was always an outdoors person, and my grandpa taught me how to build things. I never really got into video games and all that. I really just enjoyed the outdoors and working with my grandpa, and we always had a project.”

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
Signed off the Dolphins’ practice squad on October 4, 2010 . . . Waived by the Dolphins following training camp on September 4, 2010 and re-signed to practice squad on September 6 . . . Originally was the second seventh round draft choice (252nd overall) of the Dolphins in 2010.

PRO
2010 - Played in 12 games . . . Was inactive for one game . . . Finished with four special teams tackles . . . Opened season on team’s practice squad . . . Signed to 53-man roster on October 4 . . . Made NFL and Dolphins debut vs. New England (10/4) . . . Was inactive at Green Bay (10/17) . . . Had special teams tackles vs. Pittsburgh (10/24), at Cincinnati (10/31) vs. Tennessee (11/14) and at N.Y. Jets (12/12).

COLLEGE
Started in all 13 games for the Buckeyes as a senior in 2009 . . . Recorded 38 tackles (14 solo), five tackles for loss, one sack and an interception . . . Added a pass defensed . . . Played in ten games as a junior in 2008 . . . Recorded 11 tackles (five solo) and shared a stop for loss . . . Suffered sprained knee against Troy and missed three games . . . Returned to play at Michigan State and recovered a fumbled Buckeye punt return . . . Played in all 13 games as a sophomore in 2007 . . . Started on four special teams units  . . . Recorded 26 tackles (13 solo), 2.5 stops for loss and a sack . . . Earned Big Ten All-Academic honors . . . Posted seven tackles and a sack against Youngstown State  . . . Named special units player of week against Wisconsin . . . Played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2006 . . . Saw the majority of his time on special teams . . . Recorded seven tackles (three solo) . . . Posted three tackles against Michigan State . . . Played with the scout team as a freshman in 2005 . . . Holds degree in strategic communications.

PERSONAL
Attended Bellbrook (Ohio) High School . . . Played three years of basketball and started as a junior, then concentrated on football . . . Was an honor student . . . Named first-team all-conference as a senior and junior and was named conference linebacker of the year both years . . . Posted 132 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a senior . . . Also had a pair of interceptions . . . Recorded 120 tackles as a junior . . . Spoke at the Broward County Juvenile Detention Center . . . Participated in the Miami Dolphins Foundation Fishing and Golf Tournaments, the Touchdown for Life Blood Drive and the Kids and Fins Publix Shopping Spree . . . Purchased and distributed toys and meals for the holidays . . . Visited Jackson Children’s Hospital during the holidays . . . Growing up, he was a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and his favorite athlete was Barry Sanders . . . Lists “Caddyshack” as favorite movie, “Survivorman” as favorite television show and Garth Brooks as favorite recording artist . . . Born October 26, 1986, in Dayton, Ohio.