Calvin Austin Explained

Calvin Austin III
Current Team:Pittsburgh Steelers
Number:19
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:24 March 1999
Birth Place:Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:8
Weight Lb:170
High School:Harding Academy
(Memphis, Tennessee)
College:Memphis (2017–2021)
Draftyear:2022
Draftround:4
Draftpick:138
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
  • 2× First-team All-AAC (2020, 2021)
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Receptions
Statvalue1:17
Statlabel2:Receiving yards
Statvalue2:180
Statlabel3:Receiving touchdowns
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Rushing yards
Statvalue4:57
Statlabel5:Rushing touchdowns
Statvalue5:1
Pfr:AustCa00

Calvin Austin III (born March 24, 1999) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Memphis.

Early life

Austin was born March 24, 1999, grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Harding Academy.[1] His family consists of his father, Calvin Austin II, and mother, Mimi Austin, and his four sisters: Cami Bea, Claudia-Ruthie, Naomi Pearl, and Bella Rose.

College career

Austin redshirted his true freshman season at Memphis after joining the team as a walk-on.[2] [3] During his redshirt sophomore season, he was awarded a scholarship and finished the year with 17 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns.[4] As a redshirt junior, Austin caught 61 passes for 1,053 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC).[5] He repeated as a first-team All-AAC selection after finishing his redshirt senior season with 74 receptions for 1149 yards and eight touchdowns.[6] After the conclusion of his college career, Austin was invited to play in the 2022 Senior Bowl.[7]

Austin also ran track at Memphis and was named a second-team All-American in 2019.[8]

College statistics

SeasonTeamGPReceivingRushingPunt Return
Rec Yds TD Att Yds TD Ret Yds TD
Memphis0
Memphis4 2 24 0 1 83 1 0 0 0
Memphis9 17 315 3 4 3 1 4 0 0
Memphis11 63 1,053 11 2 14 0 20 188 1
Memphis12 74 1,149 8 1 69 1 5 135 1
Career36 156 2,541 22 8 169 3 29 323 2

Professional career

Austin was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round, 138th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.[9] He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2022.[10] After Austin aggravated his foot injury, the Steelers let his return window pass and he was placed on season–ending injured reserve on October 26, 2022.[11]

The Steelers promoted Austin to the 53-man roster for the 2023 season.[12] In week 3 of the season against the Las Vegas Raiders, Austin caught his first NFL touchdown on a 72-yard deep pass from quarterback Kenny Pickett in a 23–18 Steelers victory.[13] In week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Austin scored his first rushing touchdown on a 7-yard run as the Steelers won 34–11.[14] He finished his rookie season with 17 receptions for 180 yards and one receiving touchdown to go with one rushing touchdown in 17 games and one start.[15] In his postseason debut, Austin scored a receiving touchdown in the 31–17 loss to the Bills in the Wild Card Round.[16]

NFL career statistics

YearTeamGamesReceivingRushingPunt ReturnsFumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
PIT
PIT17 1 17 180 10.6 72T 1 11 57 5.2 12 1 29 249 8.58 34 0 0 0
Career17 1 17 180 10.6 72T 1 11 57 5.2 12 1 29 249 8.58 34 0 0 0

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Carlson . Cassie . November 23, 2020 . Calvin Austin III lives out childhood dream playing football for the Memphis Tigers . February 2, 2022 . ActionNews5.com.
  2. Web site: Giannotto . Mark . November 6, 2020 . Calvin Austin III might be Memphis football's next Anthony Miller . October 22, 2021 . The Commercial Appeal.
  3. Web site: Sikkema . Trevor . December 20, 2021 . Memphis Tigers wide receiver Calvin Austin grinded from walk-on to first-team All-AAC at his hometown school . February 2, 2022 . Pro Football Focus.
  4. Web site: August 19, 2020 . Memphis' Calvin Austin III embraces new number, higher expectations . February 2, 2022 . The Commercial Appeal.
  5. Web site: Greer . Jarvis . July 23, 2021 . Another watch list for Tiger receiver Calvin Austin . February 2, 2022 . ActionNews5.com.
  6. Web site: Barnes . Evan . December 13, 2021 . Memphis receiver Calvin Austin III opts out of Hawaii Bowl to prepare for 2022 NFL Draft . February 2, 2022 . The Commercial Appeal.
  7. Web site: Cabot . Mary Kay . February 2, 2022 . Browns have shown interest in small but speedy Memphis wideout Calvin Austin III at the Senior Bowl . February 2, 2022 . Cleveland.com.
  8. Web site: October 25, 2019 . How Memphis Tigers wide receiver Calvin Austin juggles football, track and field . February 2, 2022 . The Commercial Appeal.
  9. Web site: Varley . Teresa . April 30, 2022 . Steelers select Calvin Austin III in the fourth round . April 15, 2023 . Steelers.com.
  10. Web site: Varley . Teresa . September 1, 2022 . Roster moves continue for Steelers . April 15, 2023 . Steelers.com.
  11. Web site: Hartman . Jeff . 2022-10-27 . The Steelers decision to let Calvin Austin III go on season-ending IR was based on injury . 2024-07-19 . Behind the Steel Curtain . en.
  12. Web site: Varley . Teresa . August 30, 2023 . Steelers current 2023 roster . 2024-07-19 . Steelers.com.
  13. Web site: Rivers . Christina . Kuzma . Joe . 2024-03-23 . Plays of the Year: Kenny Pickett connects with Calvin Austin for 72-yard equalizing touchdown . 2024-07-19 . Steel City Underground.
  14. Web site: 2023-12-23 . Calvin Austin rushing TD gives Steelers 14-0 lead over Bengals . 2024-07-19 . Yahoo! Sports . en-US.
  15. Web site: Calvin Austin 2023 Game Log . 2024-07-19 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  16. Web site: Wild Card - Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills - January 15th, 2024 . 2024-07-19 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.