Calvin Austin III Bio
Calvin Austin III is an American professional football wide receiver and punt returner for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Memphis Tigers and joined the NFL after being selected in the 2022 draft.
Known for his quickness and versatility, Austin has built a reputation as a reliable playmaker in the passing game and as a dangerous return man on special teams. His path from a Memphis high school standout to a multi-year NFL contributor reflects steady development and consistent production at every level.
Early Life and Background
Calvin Austin III was born on March 24, 1999, in Memphis, Tennessee, where he grew up and developed his early love for football. He attended Harding Academy, a local school that allowed him to compete against strong regional competition while remaining close to home.
Austin comes from a close-knit family. He is the son of Calvin Austin II and Mimi Austin, and he grew up alongside four sisters named Cami Bea, Claudia-Ruthie, Naomi Pearl, and Bella Rose. His father also attended the University of Memphis, creating an early family connection to the program where Calvin would later star.
During his time at Harding Academy, Austin established himself as a dynamic skill player, drawing attention from college recruiters with his speed and shiftiness. His high school success laid the foundation for his eventual walk-on opportunity at Memphis.
Path to American Football
After finishing high school, Austin joined the University of Memphis as a walk-on, choosing to begin his career without an athletic scholarship. He redshirted his true freshman season, using the year to learn the system, build strength, and adjust to the speed of college football.
During his redshirt sophomore year, Austin earned a scholarship and posted 17 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns, showing the coaching staff that he belonged in the rotation. He also competed on the Memphis track and field team, where his sprinting ability helped him become a second-team All-American in 2019.
As a redshirt junior, Austin broke out with 61 catches for 1,053 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors. He followed that with a redshirt senior season of 74 receptions for 1,149 yards and eight touchdowns, repeating as a first-team All-AAC selection. After the season, he was invited to the 2022 Senior Bowl, helping set the stage for his draft selection.
Calvin Austin III Career
Early Career (2022)
Austin was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round, 138th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. He entered a crowded wide receiver room and was expected to contribute primarily as a returner while developing his route tree at the professional level.
His rookie season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2022, due to a foot injury. After aggravating the issue, the Steelers let his return window pass and moved him to season-ending injured reserve on October 26, 2022, limiting him to no regular-season games that year.
Pittsburgh Steelers Breakthrough (2023–2024)
The Steelers promoted Austin to the 53-man roster for the 2023 season, and he quickly made an impact. In Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he caught his first NFL touchdown on a 72-yard deep pass from quarterback Kenny Pickett, helping Pittsburgh win 23–18. Later that year, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Austin scored his first rushing touchdown on a 7-yard run during a 34–11 victory.
He finished his first full season with 17 receptions for 180 yards, one receiving touchdown, and one rushing touchdown across 17 games and one start. In his postseason debut, a Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills, Austin added a receiving touchdown, signaling his growing role in the offense.
In 2024, Austin was named one of the team’s kick returners alongside Cordarrelle Patterson. On September 22, 2024, he recorded a career-high 95 receiving yards against the Los Angeles Chargers, including a 55-yard touchdown catch from Justin Fields. On October 28, 2024, he produced his first career punt return touchdown, a 73-yard return, and his first multi-touchdown game against the New York Giants, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Austin closed the 2024 regular season with 36 catches on 58 targets for 548 yards and four touchdowns. Pittsburgh reached the postseason for a second straight year with a 10–7 record. In the AFC Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Austin caught one pass for 25 yards and returned a punt for 14 yards.
New York Giants Era (2026–Present)
On March 14, 2026, Austin signed with the New York Giants on a one-year, $4.5 million contract, beginning a new chapter in his career. The move paired him with a new offensive system and gave him an opportunity to expand his role as both a receiver and a returner.
Austin’s experience in Pittsburgh, including productive seasons as a deep threat and a return specialist, made him an attractive addition for the Giants. His versatility and familiarity with special teams coverage units positioned him to contribute immediately upon arrival.
Driving Style and Strengths
Austin’s game is built on speed, quickness, and elusiveness, allowing him to win as a deep receiver and to create space in the return game. He pairs his athletic traits with reliable hands and a willingness to work over the middle, and his partnership with quarterbacks in Pittsburgh showcased his ability to stretch the field. On special teams, his vision and burst have translated into explosive returns, including his 73-yard punt return touchdown in 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Austin’s first NFL touchdown, a 72-yard catch from Kenny Pickett in 2023, announced his arrival as a playmaker. His 73-yard punt return touchdown against the Giants in 2024 highlighted his special teams value, and on January 4, 2026, he caught what proved to be the game-winning touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens, helping the Steelers secure an AFC North Division title.
Calvin Austin III Career Wins
Across his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and now the New York Giants, Calvin Austin III has compiled a growing resume of big plays, highlighted by receiving touchdowns, a rushing score, and a punt return touchdown. His production has increased with each healthy season, reflecting his development as a complete pass catcher and returner.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Austin has recorded 84 receptions for 1,100 receiving yards and 8 receiving touchdowns, along with 57 rushing yards and 639 return yards with 1 return touchdown. His first NFL win as a scorer came in 2023 against the Raiders, while his multi-touchdown effort against the Giants in 2024 remains one of his most memorable performances.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Austin earned two first-team All-American Athletic Conference selections in 2020 and 2021, capping a strong college career at Memphis. He was also a second-team All-American in track and field in 2019, underscoring the athletic foundation that supports his professional success.
Calvin Austin III Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Calvin Austin III comes from a supportive family rooted in Memphis, with his father, Calvin Austin II, and his mother, Mimi Austin, raising him alongside four sisters. His father’s own experience as a University of Memphis student helped foster a deep connection to the program where Calvin would eventually play his college football.
Personal Life
Austin remains closely tied to his family and to the city of Memphis, the place where he was born, raised, and where he first made his mark as an athlete. His upbringing in a tight family environment has often been cited as a key influence on his work ethic and character.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Calvin Austin III’s most complete year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He opened the campaign with four receptions on six targets for 70 yards in his first appearance, quickly establishing himself as a reliable option in the passing game.
One of the defining moments came against the New York Jets, when he caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to give Pittsburgh a five-point lead in a narrow 34–32 victory. Later, on January 4, 2026, Austin caught the game-winning touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens, helping the Steelers clinch the AFC North Division title.
Looking ahead, Austin’s blend of receiving production and special teams value positioned him for continued growth, and his subsequent signing with the New York Giants reflected the strong impression he left during Pittsburgh’s 2025 campaign.
