The New Orleans Saints had one last addition to make before kicking off their 2024 training camp in California in the form of another young WR and UFL standout.
The team announced Monday that it had agreed to terms with Kevin Austin Jr., who latched on with the Jackonsville Jaguars as a UDFA in 2022 and played for the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL's inaugural season.
Austin, a Florida native, finished his season with 15 catches for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns, including an 80-yard score. Austin played collegiately at Notre Dame, appearing in 26 games (13 starts), while rolling up 54 receptions for 996 yards and seven touchdowns.
The new Saints pass-catcher joins a young and intriguing room that is now headlined by another pair from the same draft class in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. The Saints will also look for continued growth from last year's draft pick A.T. Perry and rookie Bub Means, along with veteran options in Cedrick Wilson and Equanimeous St. Brown. Austin will also be battling with a pair of UDFAs this season in Idaho's Jermaine Jackson and Yale's Mason Tipton.
The Saints will hold their first training camp practice on Wednesday (July 24) on the campus on UC Irvine.