Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver, Calvin Austin III was the team’s fourth round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft this past April. His roommate George Pickens has stolen the show thus far in the first week of training camp with circus catches and a willingness to block for his teammates, but Austin is no shrinking violet. He had an electrifying 60-yard touchdown last week, but dropped a ball after he absorbed an accidental big hit from Damontae Kazee on a contested catch.
“It didn’t catch me off guard,” Austin said when asked if he was surprised with the contact. “I know he was just going for the ball, so I was like you got to hold onto it. I should have tucked it quicker.”
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Austin, like his fellow rookie roommate, has done a great job whenever he meets with the media answering questions directly and shouldering responsibility for his play whenever he makes a mistake. He also shares credit when he makes a good play. The Steelers wide receiver room has a bright future, and these two players are already demonstrating the capacity for leadership and their willingness to learn. A reporter asked Austin about an interaction with Anthony Miller after the Kazee collision.
“He told me about tucking the ball quick. Getting hit over the middle and stuff like that. All those guys from Ant, Diontae [Johnson], Chase [Claypool], Steve [Sims] and Gunner [Olszewski] have played a lot of football at this level, and they are constantly feeding me tips. They are helping me out.”
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Austin is getting more opportunities with the Diontae Johnson "hold-in" and Chase Claypool injury to display his versatility as a weapon for the Steelers. Pickens is gaining a strangle hold in three wide receiver sets, but Austin is staking his claim in what is likely to be a spread offense as more than just a jet sweep weapon, displaying a willingness in shorts to go over the middle of the field. Pickens and Austin have become fast friends and are displaying genuine excitement when one of them makes a play. Austin was asked about Pickens' exuberance on his biggest play of camp and whether the feeling was mutual.
“Big time. We always talk about how hype we are going to be for each other when big plays happen. We expect to make big plays. We each got the mentality about ourselves, we want to be great, make big plays and help the team out.”
Austin, who is undersized for a receiver at 5'8" is one of the fastest players entering the NFL and he may be the fastest current Steelers player. He ran a blazing 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and was considered one of the most exciting players at the collegiate level for the Memphis Tigers. He is aiming to make a similar impact in the NFL.
“I wouldn’t say I’m happy,” Austin confidently assessed himself. “I’m doing what I’m capable of, there is always room for improvement. So much more work to be done, I wouldn’t even say I’m close to happy. I am just doing what I’m supposed to do, there are many more plays to be made.”
Wide receivers in the NFL are often magnets for the press and not always in a positive way. Austin and Pickens could easily be the most likable duo at the position in a long time in the NFL. They are eager to learn from veteran teammates, unassuming and seem to take nothing for granted. The Steelers put on pads Monday afternoon, and we will see how the first week translates to performance when the highest paid defense in the NFL comes calling.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you think the rookies continue to have success this week in pads? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
