PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The first stat that would jump out to you about Steelers fourth round pick, receiver Calvin Austin. He’s just 5’8”.
“Watching this draft, it’s music to my ears,” Austin said to local reporters after being drafted by the Steelers. “I laugh any time I see someone mention it. That’s all I’ve been hearing. It gives me the extra drive to work hard. It does add a little more juice.”
Austin ran a 4.32, 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine following a pair of back-to-back 1,000 seasons at Memphis. New Steelers WR Coach Frisman Jackson says he brings a different dimension to the offense with his perimeter ability and his ability in the slot.
Jackson is not worried about Allen’s height.
“When you are a 5’8” guy, can you go up and attack the football?” Jackson said. “Can you go attack the ball in the air or do you sit down and wait for it. He goes and attacks the ball in the air. Those combat catches, 50/50 balls, he goes and makes those plays. He plays like a guy that’s 6’1”, 6’2” as far as when he jumps and attacks the football.”
“I’m just ready for him to use me however is needed,” Austin said. “I’m that guy that can play inside, outside, jet sweeps, whatever. I can do it all. Whatever role they need me, I will be excited.”
“Not just for the jet sweeps, some of the stuff he did down the field running by people and catching balls down the field is what excited me,” Jackson said. “You saw a small guy that was 5’8”, but didn’t play 5’8”. He played bigger than his size listed. Just his whole game excited as a coaching staff.”
Jackson said in the little time he had with Austin at the NFL Combine, he felt his competitiveness. He liked his toughness and immediately thought about the things he could bring to the Steelers.
Earlier in his career, Austin also ran track. The Memphis native was an All-American at the 4x100 meter relay but the Steelers saw someone that could also play the game.
“I saw a guy on tape that’s a track player that plays football,” Jackson said. “He’s not a guy that’s a football player that plays track. He’s a tough dude. You see the track speed, but you see the football player in him. That was important to me. I saw the toughness, the competitiveness.”
“I’m blessed to be in this position,” Austin said. “When I first got to campus, being in this position would be crazy to think about. I’ve always been overlooked. I’ve always been doubted.”
“I don’t play football or work as hard as I do to prove those people wrong. I work and play as hard as I do to prove the people that believe in me right.”