With the loss of several starters in the secondary, Arizona has been aggressive in rebuilding the backend of their defense. A defensive back from a former Pac-12 rival is heading to the desert to help with that rebuild. Arizona has landed a commitment from Oregon defensive back transfer Daylen Austin.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Austin is a native Long Beach, California who spent the past three seasons in Eugene after flipping his high school commitment from LSU to Oregon. Per 247Sports.com Composite Ratings, Austin was the No. 10 player from California, 12th-best cornerback, and No. 121 overall prospect in the class of 2023.
He appeared in 30 games during his career as a Duck, recording 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception. He served as a rotational player in the secondary, but was a critical player on special teams for the Ducks.
After redshirting his freshman season in 2023, he will have two years of eligibility remaining in Tucson. Austin took a visit to Arkansas, where former Arizona GM Gaizka Crowley has taken the same role under first-year head coach Ryan Silverfield, but ultimately chose the Wildcats.
Austin is currently contending with legal issues that are expected to remain unresolved prior to his arrival in Tucson. The 20-year old was indicted on hit-and-run charges following an incident in 2024. He filed a motion alleging prosecutorial misconduct, but Oregon’s Supreme Court denied the motion. A stay was granted pending review of the motion, delaying Austin’s trial date to February 2, 2027. Sources indicate to AZ Band Cat Sports however that he will be cleared of all charges.
Daylen Austin will be part of the Arizona cornerback room that looks to replace Michael Dansby and Ayden Garnes. He joins Jay’Vion Cole, who had four interceptions last year and is back for his redshirt senior season, as well as Wyoming transfer Tyrese Boss, Brandon Holmes from Fresno City College (JUCO), Charlotte transfer Dwight Bootle II, and ex-UConn Husky Lee Molette III. The Wildcats have now added six new players to their secondary.
A full list of Arizona’s incoming and outgoing transfer portal activity is available here.
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