Austin Aune, a 29-year-old college quarterback, graduated from high school in 2012 and was drafted to play shortstop for the New York Yankees. A two-sport athlete throughout his life, Aune decided to play professional baseball despite already committing to play collegiate football for the TCU Horned Frogs. His baseball career ended in 2018 after being released by the Yankees, and that's when he decided to come back to his second sport, football, heading to the college ranks to play quarterback once again six years later.
Playing QB at Argyle High School in Argyle, TX, Aune had a productive career. While he was scouted primarily for baseball, he quietly became a three-star recruit for his football accolades. In his senior season, he passed for 33 touchdowns, over 3,000 yards, and kept the ball on the ground, rushing for over 500 yards. He committed to TCU in 2011, left for the MLB in 2012, and then returned to football in 2018, struggling to find a hold on a school that he could manage the starting job for.
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Aune arrived at Arkansas in 2018, hopeful to play for the Razorbacks, but at that point in his career, finding a crowded quarterback room was not something he wanted to stay around for. He opted to transfer after enrolling as a student, seeking new opportunities in the NCAA. The search led him back home to Texas, to a university ten miles from his alma mater. He was perfectly content with being the third string quarterback for the North Texas Mean Green in 2018, but quickly came into his own the following season.
2020 was his first real test back on the gridiron since his high school days, appearing in nine games and passing for 1,650 yards. Aune became the full time starter in 2021, leading his team to a bowl game against Miami Ohio and cementing his place as a quarterback in the NCAA. He stands as the starter today, 2022, where he continues to perform at a high level, even ten years after graduation.
Being the oldest quarterback in the NCAA is no easy feat, especially in a position that is becoming increasingly more competitive in the recruitment market. Aune has so far made the most out of his athletic ability, making rosters consistently, and stepping up to any opportunity that comes to him.
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Image Credit: University of North Texas Athletics
* Originally published on December 6, 2022, by Jenaro DelPrete
