Eleven years in the past, he dazzled as a quarterback at Argyle High School. Then the Yankees supplied him a reported seven-figure signing bonus and he went off to Florida.
DENTON, Texas — Pops. Gramps. Old man.
Those are only a few of the endearing nicknames bestowed by teammates on University of North Texas beginning quarterback Austin Aune.
Maybe it’s as a result of he has a beard. Maybe it’s as a result of he’s married to his highschool sweetheart. Maybe it’s as a result of he’s a father to an 8-month-old daughter.
Or possibly it’s as a result of he’s the oldest quarterback to play Division I college soccer within the fashionable period.
Eleven years in the past, Aune dazzled as a senior quarterback at Argyle High School. He led the Eagles to the 2011 Class 3A Division II state championship recreation at AT&T Stadium, however they misplaced to Wimberley.
Despite taking part in for a decrease classification faculty, Aune acquired loads of curiosity from Division I college soccer packages.
The three-star recruit dedicated to TCU and head coach Gary Patterson – however on one situation: he may play for the baseball staff within the spring.
Aune was a star shortstop for the Eagles and had fielded some professional curiosity popping out of highschool.
Patterson knew the MLB may draw back their recruit, however the Horned Frogs welcomed the two-sport athlete.
Sure sufficient, in June 2012, the New York Yankees chosen Aune within the second spherical (89th total) of the MLB Draft.
The Yankees supplied him a reported seven-figure signing bonus and the Argyle native shipped off to Florida to affix their farm system. Football goals must wait.
“The steps alongside the best way and experiences alongside the best way have been nicely value it,” Aune mentioned, seated in a UNT staff assembly room.
Aune spent six years within the Yankees minor league system and performed with among the recreation’s greats.
“Couple lockers down from me was Aaron Judge,” Aune recalled. “Some of the blokes which might be on the large league roster now, I knew again then.”
However, Aune by no means made it to the large leagues. He was launched by the Yankees in 2017.
So, at age 25, the baseball participant determined to provide soccer the old college attempt.
After a short stint at Arkansas, Aune transferred to UNT in 2018, the place he’s labored his approach as much as the beginning position.
“It’s not like I’m just walking through the locker room and they’re like, ‘There’s that old guy,’” Aune smiled. “Like, I’m still just one of the dudes walking in.”
That dude turned 29 years old on Sept. 6.
According to UNT’s analysis, Aune is the oldest quarterback to play Division I college soccer within the fashionable period.
(If there may be report of anybody older, WFAA and UNT want to know!)
“Definitely every game somebody is trash-talking how old I am,” Aune admitted. “Like, ‘Ah man, you are like 32 years old.’ I’m like, ‘Woah, solely 29 man.’”
His teammates received jokes, too.
“They name me dad,” Aune mentioned.
Well, that final one truly does apply.
Aune and his spouse, Kristin, have an 8-month old daughter, Palmer.
“Being a dad is a very cool alternative, and it has been the perfect eight months thus far,” Aune mentioned, who credit Palmer for sleeping by way of the evening, which helps him get his relaxation too.
Aune is a junior. He has one other 12 months of eligibility and, if he needed to, may play subsequent 12 months too – at age 30.
“My spouse is tremendous supportive so, once I informed her that is my final 12 months, she mentioned ‘All proper, that is your final 12 months,’” Aune laughed.
Thing is, he needs to show professional… once more.
“I want to try to get to the NFL,” mentioned Aune.
Aune just isn’t the primary quarterback to play college soccer in his late 20s — and he would not be the primary to make the NFL, both.
Brandon Weeden, one other former Yankees minor leaguer who later grew to become Oklahoma State quarterback, was taken twenty second total within the 2012 NFL Draft at age 28.
Chris Weinke, a former Toronto Blue Jays minor leaguer turned Florida State quarterback, received the Heisman Trophy in 2000 at age 28 (the oldest Heisman winner of all time), and in addition performed within the NFL after being a fourth-round decide.
Naturally, Aune finds inspiration of their tales — simply as he does within the story of Tom Brady, the legendary, now-45-year-old quarterback who continues to stiff-arm father time.
The line Aune likes to make use of: “Yeah, I’m throwing to guys 10 years younger than me. But Brady is throwing to guys 20 years younger than him.”
“He keeps my hope alive,” Aune admitted. “The longer he performs, the higher alternative I’ve to inform scouts, ‘I do know he is not regular, however there’s a slight likelihood.'”
What about taking part in for his hometown staff?
After all, the Dallas Cowboys appear to all the time be available in the market for one more third-string quarterback.
“I’d leave tomorrow, if they called me,” Aune asserted. “They can give me a call. I’m old enough.”
In truth, Aune could be the oldest quarterback on the Cowboys roster, too.
story by The Texas Tribune Source link
