Pittsburgh Steelers announce signing of draft pick Calvin Austin
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III with the 138th pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. With OTAs wrapping up and and their mandatory minicamp about to begin, the franchise officially announced the signing of the speedster to his rookie deal.
Austin’s deal will be for four seasons. With this signing, every Steelers rookie is accounted for besides former Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett. After an earlier minicamp, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Austin’s speed will be where he makes his mark in the NFL.
“When you’re small, you better be fast in this game and that’s the reality of it. That’s nothing new. (Speed) is his distinguishing trait and it has to show up in all aspects of his play,” said Tomlin.
Frisman Jackson, the Steelers receivers coach, was equally excited to use his fast new weapon on the outside
“You see the speed on tape. With the ball in his hands and without the ball in his hands, he comes off the line of scrimmage fast,” he said. “He brings some toughness along with his competitiveness. I believe he’s going to make the room fun. He’s going to bring some juice to the room.”
Austin finished second all-time in Memphis history with 22 touchdowns. He was named First-Team All AAC after finishing his career with back to back 1,000 yard seasons. In total, he tallied 2,541 yards in four years. At the NFL Draft Combine, Austin showed off his wheels by running a 4.32 40-yard dash.
Along with former Georgia receiver George Pickens, they’ll be tasked with restocking the wide receiver room in Pittsburgh. They’ll pair next to Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson after the departures of JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington.