Masharn Austin Class: Junior Hometown: Lawrenceville, Ga. High School: Buford Height / Weight: 5-8 / 184 Position: CB Experience: 1L

Furman: Emerged from spring practice listed as the backup to returning starter William Middleton at right cornerback... combines with Middleton and left cornerback Austin Holmes in giving Furman three corners with experience...should also again contend for action on special teams. 2006 -- Completed comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained midway through 2005 spring practice by seeing his first action as a backup cornerback and member of special teams...notched 21 tackles and a sack...recorded 10 kickoff returns for 150 yards and one punt return for 15 yards...had a season high four tackles against both Western Carolina (42-7 win) and Coastal Carolina (29-27 loss)...registered his sack for a loss of 13 yards in a 35-21 win at Wofford...had a season best 29-yard kickoff return in 17-13, season opening win over Jacksonville State. 2005 -- Did not see any action due to injury. 2004 -- Awarded redshirt and extra year of eligibility.

High School: 2004 graduate of Buford (2A) High School...football coach was Dexter Wood...saw action as a cornerback, running back, quarterback, and return specialist...rushed for over 1,200 yards and accounted for 30 touchdowns responsibilities in his prep career, which included three seasons at Collins Hill (Ga.) before transferring to Buford for his senior campaign...registered five scores in 2003 in helping Buford to a 15-0 record and state championship...team defeated Charlton County 31-3 in title game...recorded an 81-yard fumble return for a touchdown in a 48-19 win over Adairsville in second playoff victory...was a 2003 Gainesville Times All-Area second team selection...former prep teammate of Paladin tailback Mark Standridge...member of Buford's 2003 4x100 state championship squad.

Personal: Full name is Masharn Jerel Austin...son of Aric and Carolyn Austin...born January 18, 1986, in Atlanta, Georgia...biology major.