Calvin Austin
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Calvin Austin III
| image = CalvinAustinIII.jpg
| caption = Austin with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023
| current_team = Pittsburgh Steelers
| number = 19
| position = Wide receiver / Punt returner
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|3|24}}
| birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 9
| weight_lb = 162
| high_school = Harding Academy (Memphis)
| college = Memphis (2017–2021)
| draftyear = 2022
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 138
| pastteams =
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2022}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 53
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 728
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 5
| statlabel4 = Return yards
| statvalue4 = 538
| statlabel5 = Return touchdowns
| statvalue5 = 1
}}
Calvin Austin III (born March 24, 1999) is an American professional football wide receiver and punt returner for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Memphis Tigers.
Early life
Austin was born March 24, 1999, grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Harding Academy.{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Cassie |date=November 23, 2020 |title=Calvin Austin III lives out childhood dream playing football for the Memphis Tigers |url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2020/11/23/calvin-austin-iii-lives-out-childhood-dream-playing-football-memphis-tigers/ |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=ActionNews5.com}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Giannotto |first=Mark |date=November 6, 2020 |title=Calvin Austin III might be Memphis football's next Anthony Miller |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/columnists/mark-giannotto/2020/11/06/calvin-austin-iii-memphis-tigers-football-anthony-miller-bears-ryan-silverfield-usf/6124735002/ |access-date=October 22, 2021 |website=The Commercial Appeal}}{{Cite web |last=Sikkema |first=Trevor |date=December 20, 2021 |title=Memphis Tigers wide receiver Calvin Austin grinded from walk-on to first-team All-AAC at his hometown school |url=https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-memphis-tigers-wide-receiver-calvin-austin-grinded-from-walk-on-to-first-team-all-aac-2021 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Pro Football Focus}} During his redshirt sophomore season, he was awarded a scholarship and finished the year with 17 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Evan |date=August 19, 2020 |title=Memphis' Calvin Austin III embraces new number, higher expectations |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2020/08/19/memphis-football-calvin-austin-iii-embraces-new-number-higher-expectations/5589668002/ |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=The Commercial Appeal}} 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).{{Cite web |last=Greer |first=Jarvis |date=July 23, 2021 |title=Another watch list for Tiger receiver Calvin Austin |url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2021/07/23/another-watch-list-tiger-receiver-calvin-austin/ |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=ActionNews5.com}} He repeated as a first-team All-AAC selection after finishing his redshirt senior season with 74 receptions for 1149 yards and eight touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Evan |date=December 13, 2021 |title=Memphis receiver Calvin Austin III opts out of Hawaii Bowl to prepare for 2022 NFL Draft |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2021/12/13/memphis-football-calvin-austin-iii-opts-out-hawaii-bowl-nfl-draft/6503115001/ |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=The Commercial Appeal}} After the conclusion of his college career, Austin was invited to play in the 2022 Senior Bowl.{{Cite web |last=Cabot |first=Mary Kay |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Browns have shown interest in small but speedy Memphis wideout Calvin Austin III at the Senior Bowl |url=https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2022/02/browns-have-shown-interest-in-small-but-speedy-memphis-wideout-calvin-austin-iii-at-the-senior-bowl.html |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Cleveland.com}}
Austin also ran track at Memphis and was named a second-team All-American in 2019.{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2019 |title=How Memphis Tigers wide receiver Calvin Austin juggles football, track and field |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2019/10/25/memphis-football-tigers-calvin-austin-mike-norvell-track-all-american/4049853002/ |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=The Commercial Appeal}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="3"| Receiving ! colspan="3"| Rushing ! colspan="3"| Punt Return | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | TD | Att || Yds || TD || Ret || Yds || TD | |
| 2017 | Memphis
| 0 || colspan="9"| {{abbr|DNP|Did not play}} | |||
| 2018 | Memphis
| 4 || 2 || 24 || 0 || 1 || 83 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||
| 2019 | Memphis
| 9 || 17 || 315 || 3 || 4 || 3 || 1 || 4 || 0 || 0 | |||
| 2020 | Memphis
| 11 || 63 || 1,053 || 11 || 2 || 14 || 0 || 20 || 188 || 1 | |||
| 2021 | Memphis
| 12 || 74 || 1,149 || 8 || 1 || 69 || 1 || 5 || 135 || 1 | |||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/calvin-austin-iii-1.html Career] | 36 | 156 | 2,541 | 22 || 8 || 169 || 3 || 29 || 323 || 2 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 7 3/4
| weight = 170
| dash = 4.32
| ten split = 1.44
| twenty split = 2.49
| shuttle = 4.07
| cone drill = 6.65
| vertical = 39.0
| broad ft = 11
| broad in = 3
| bench = 11
| arm span = 30
| hand span = 9 1/4
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Calvin Austin III Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/calvin-austin-iii/32004155-5373-8004-5ff3-52f1c2b4fb0b |access-date=March 3, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Calvin Austin III, Memphis, WR, 2022 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1024164&DraftYear=2022 |access-date=March 3, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
==2022==
Austin was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round, 138th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=April 30, 2022 |title=Steelers select Calvin Austin III in the fourth round |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-select-calvin-austin-iii-in-the-fourth-round |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=Steelers.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2022 due to a foot injury.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=September 1, 2022 |title=Roster moves continue for Steelers |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/roster-moves-continue-for-steelers-x7013 |access-date=April 15, 2023 |website=Steelers.com}} After Austin aggravated his injury, the Steelers let his return window pass and he was placed on season–ending injured reserve on October 26, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Hartman |first=Jeff |date=2022-10-27 |title=The Steelers decision to let Calvin Austin III go on season-ending IR was based on injury |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2022/10/27/23425838/the-steelers-decision-to-let-calvin-austin-iii-go-on-season-ending-ir-was-based-on-injury-lisfranc |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Behind the Steel Curtain|publisher=SB Nation |language=en}} He did not play a down during the regular season, which ended with the Steelers achieving a 9–8 record, denying Austin a playoff appearance.
==2023==
The Steelers promoted Austin to the 53-man roster for the 2023 season.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Steelers current 2023 roster |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-2023-53-man-roster |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Steelers.com}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Rivers |first=Christina |last2=Kuzma |first2=Joe |date=2024-03-23 |title=Plays of the Year: Kenny Pickett connects with Calvin Austin for 72-yard equalizing touchdown |url=https://www.steelcityunderground.com/2024/03/23/plays-of-the-year-kenny-pickett-connects-with-calvin-austin-for-72-yard-equalizing-touchdown/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Steel City Underground}} In week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Austin scored his first rushing touchdown on a 7-yard run as the Steelers won 34–11.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-23 |title=Calvin Austin rushing TD gives Steelers 14–0 lead over Bengals |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/calvin-austin-rushing-td-gives-221219432.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Yahoo! Sports |language=en-US}} He finished his first full season with 17 receptions for 180 yards and one receiving touchdown to go with one rushing touchdown in 17 games and one start.{{Cite web |title=Calvin Austin 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AustCa00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} In his postseason debut, Austin scored a receiving touchdown in the 31–17 loss to the Bills in the Wild Card Round.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills – January 15th, 2024 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202401150buf.htm |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
==2024==
Austin, along with running back Cordarrelle Patterson, was named one of the team's kick returners ahead of the regular season.{{cite web | title=Calvin Austin III Returning Stats | publisher=FOX Sports | date=2024-11-07 | url=https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/calvin-austin-iii-player-stats?category=returning&seasonType=reg | access-date=2025-01-13}}
On September 22, 2024, Austin recorded a career-high 95 receiving yards against the Los Angeles Chargers. During the game, Austin caught four passes in total, one being a 55 yard touchdown catch from Justin Fields in the fourth quarter.{{cite web | last=Florio | first=Mike | title=Calvin Austin sees "no panic" in the Steelers' offense this year | website=NBC Sports | date=2024-09-25 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/calvin-austin-sees-no-panic-in-the-steelers-offense-this-year | access-date=2024-12-07}}
On October 28, 2024, Austin recorded his first career punt return touchdown, a 73-yard return, as well as his first career multi-touchdown game against the New York Giants, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401671685|title=Steelers 26–18 Giants (Oct 28, 2024) Game Recap|website=ESPN}}
Austin finished the 2024 regular season with 36 catches on 58 targets for 548 yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Calvin Austin III 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AustCa00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Austin and the Steelers achieved a second consecutive postseason berth with a record of 10–7.{{Cite web |title=2024 Pittsburgh Steelers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2024.htm |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} During the AFC Wild Card playoff matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, Austin caught one pass for 25 yards and returned one punt for 14 yards. The Steelers lost the game 28–14, ending their 2024 campaign.{{cite web | title=Steelers 14–28 Ravens (Jan 12, 2025) | website=StatMuse | date=2025-01-12 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/1-11-2025-pit-at-bal-18756 | access-date=2025-01-13}}
Personal life
Austin is the son of Calvin and Mimi Austin. His father went to college at University of Memphis as well.{{cite web |title=Calvin Austin III – My Journey {{!}} Behind the Stripes Memphis Athletics |url=https://behindthestripes.gotigersgo.com/calvin-austin-iii-football-my-journey/ |website=Behind The Stripes- University of Memphis Athletics |access-date=12 January 2025}}
NFL career statistics
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Punt Returns ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2022 | PIT
| colspan="19"|{{abbr|DNP|Did not play}} | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | PIT
| 17 || 1 || 17 || 180 || 10.6 || 72T || 1 || 11 || 57 || 5.2 || 12 || 1 || 29 || 249 || 8.6 || 34 || 0 || 2 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | PIT
| 14 || 6 || 28 || 452 || 16.1 || 55T || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 23 || 259 || 11.3 || 73T || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AustCa00.htm Career]|| 31 || 7 || 45 || 632 || 14.0 || 72T || 2 || 11 || 57 || 5.2 || 12 || 1 || 52 || 508 || 9.8 || 73T || 1 || 2 || 0 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{footballstats|espn=4243389|yahoo=34094|pfr=A/AustCa00}}
- [https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/calvin-austin-iii/ Pittsburgh Steelers bio]
- [https://gotigersgo.com/sports/football/roster/calvin--austin-iii/9561 Memphis Tigers bio]
{{Pittsburgh Steelers roster navbox}}
{{Steelers2022DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Austin, Calvin}}
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Memphis Tigers football players
Category:Players of American football from Memphis, Tennessee