The Steelers took a flier on the 5-foot-9 Calvin Austin II in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and are still excited about what the speedster can bring to the team. After an excellent camp in 2022, many expected Austin to be a special weapon for the Steelers but a foot injury in camp derailed his rookie campaign as he was on the team’s injured reserve for the entire season.
During the team’s 2023 OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Austin showed out once again and gained praise from his peers on his versatility and ability to play multiple roles on the offensive side of the ball.
Steelers running back Najee Harris called him a “unicorn” and said that Austin is the type of player that can play anywhere from the slot to the backfield.
“I think he’s gonna be featured a lot,” said Harris. “He’s gonna put a lot of pressure on defenses.”
Austin doubled down on what Harris spoke about and said that now that he is fairly healthy and not a rookie, it is much easier to showcase his talents to the Steelers coaches and his fellow teammates.
“I definitely think I can do a lot of different things. I’m glad I’ve been able to be healthy and be able to show some of the different things I can do out there.” Austin said. “I think from that the coaches and, obviously, my teammates have kinda taken note and taken that as, ‘Ok, I can do different things.’ Whatever that role is, wherever they see me needed I’m gonna be able to answer that call.”
Due to his speed and catching ability, the coaching staff is still ironing out a fine role for the second-year receiver. At Memphis, Austin played all over the field as a receiver and received punts on special teams. He excelled at both as he hauled in 22 receiving touchdowns, rushed for three rushing touchdowns, and returned two punts for touchdowns.
“We’re still massaging his role,” said Steelers’ wide receiver Frisman Jackson. “We’re putting him in different places, just finding out what he’s good at, just trying to find a natural role for him and using his strengths and his talents to exploit the defense… Thank God we have training camp coming up and we’re not playing tomorrow because we can still find out what his role is and find out ways to exploit that from a defensive perspective.”
While he is likely to play in the slot behind Allen Robinson, Matt Canada’s offense involves a lot of jet sweeps and quick throws which Austin will excel in. As far as Austin is concerned, he just wants to go out and compete to the best of his ability.
“I just go out there and work my hardest and just use my talents and my best ability”
The Steelers’ offense lacked the big-play threat in 2022 and Austin should be the man to step up into that role for the team this season. While it is unknown what his exact role is at this point, it is likely to be ever-growing if he is able to stay healthy and produce.
19 • Calvin Austin II, Wide Receiver, Memphis
5-foot-9, 162 pounds, 24 years old, 2nd Season
Acquired: The Steelers drafted Austin with the 138th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Austin was the second wide receiver that the Steelers selected in the 2022 NFL Draft after the team selected George Pickens in the second round.
Career: Prior to the 2022 preseason, Austin aggravated a foot injury and was placed on the Steelers’ injured reserve list to start the season. After his 21-day window to return to action came and went, Austin missed his entire rookie season due to an injury. The Steelers placed Austin on the season-ending injured list on Oct. 26, 2022.
| Year | GP | Receptions | Yards | AVG | TDs |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
College: After a stellar high school career at Harding Academy in Memphis, Austin decided to walk on at the University of Memphis prior to the 2017 season. Austin redshirted in 2017 while the team went 10-3. He also ran on the track and field team in 2017.
In 2018, Austin appeared in four games as a wide receiver and caught two passes for 24 yards and zero touchdowns. His second-ever collegiate touch was an 83-yard jet sweep that turned into a touchdown and helped the Tigers close out their first game of the season. This was the longest run in Memphis history since 2002.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, played nine games at wide receiver and caught 17 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Austin earned a scholarship after a game against Houston in 2019. Austin helped lead the Tigers to the 2019 AAC Championship. This was the last year that Austin ran on the track and field team for Memphis as he focused his attention on football after receiving the scholarship.
In 2020, Austin started all 11 games for the Tigers and finished the year with 63 receptions, 1,053 yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns. This included six 100-yard games and he scored in nine of the team’s 11 games. After the season, Austin was named a Burlsworth Award semifinalist.
Prior to his final collegiate season, Austin was named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watchlist. As a redshirt senior in 2021, Austin played 12 games and recorded a career-high 74 receptions and 1,149 yards. In addition to the career-high in receptions and yards, he totaled eight receiving touchdowns to close out his collegiate career. After the season, Austin was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and to the NFL Combine.
In total, Austin hauled in 156 receptions for 2,541 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns at Memphis. He also added three rushing touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns.
| Year | GP | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2 | 24 | 0 |
| 2019 | 9 | 17 | 315 | 3 |
| 2020 | 11 | 63 | 1,053 | 11 |
| 2021 | 12 | 74 | 1,149 | 8 |
Salary cap and future: Austin is entering the second year of his standard four-year rookie contract and will cost $876,084 against the Steelers’ 2023 cap space. His salary for 2023 is $750,000 while he is owed a $126,084 bonus. Austin is signed with the team through the end of the 2025 season when he will become a free agent.
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