Donovan Warren and Terrence Austin are the latest Rabbits to bolster Poly’s claim of sending more players to the NFL than any other high school, as Austin will head to the Redskins and Warren to the Jets. 

Austin, a wide receiver/kick returner, was selected in the seventh and final round by the Washington Redskins, who will likely expect him to use his elusive speed in the special teams game.  At 5’10”, 170 pounds, he’s similar to fellow Poly alum DeSean Jackson, in the eyes of most scouts.  According to quotes given to the Washington Post by Redskins GM Bruce Allen, Austin is “a player who can start for us on special teams at two return spots.”  Allen also said the Redskins’ receivers coaches were excited to work with Austin.  The 2006 Poly grad just wrapped a stellar four-year career at UCLA, earning All-Pac 10 honors as a kick returner.

Warren, class of ’07, came out of Michigan a year early expecting to be a top-three round draft pick.  Instead, he went undrafted, a shock for a player who entered college as one of the three best corners in all of America, and who was considered by scouts to be a solid value pick.  Fortunately for Warren, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has an eye for talent.  Ryan phoned Warren within minutes of the draft ending, and before ESPN’s coverage had ended, Warren had posted on his twitter: “Thanks Fans! Yes, it’s official and you can print that..I’m with tha Jets. Let’s get it!!” 

There had been talks that one or both players—but particularly Warren—would end up with the “Polydelphia” Eagles along with fellow Rabbits DeSean Jackson (’04) and Winston Justice (’02).  Jackson wrote on his Twitter that he was displeased with the draft, and the number of corners taken before Warren.  “Means I gotta serve ALL the teams that passed up,” he wrote.

Regardless of where they were taken, we now have another two Long Beach athletes with an opportunity to showcase themselves on the biggest stage in sports—congratulations to Warren and Austin, and the coaches that helped them develop their talent, from pop warner up through high school.  It’s always a special day to see years of hard work pay off with a pro sports opportunity.