Kevin Austin Jr. | Notre Dame 6’2” 200 lbs. | 03/30/2000 (Age 22)
Kevin Austin Jr. was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a UDFA.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Yards | Yards/Catch | TDs |
| 2018 (FR) | 4 | 5 | 90 | 18.0 | 0 |
| 2019 (JR) | 1 | 1 | 18 | 18.0 | 0 |
| 2021 (SR) | 12 | 48 | 888 | 18.5 | 7 |
Austin Jr. had a quiet collegiate career before the 2021 season. He missed time with a broken foot and a team suspension that was due to violating team rules. The violations were never disclosed. He then broke out during the 2021 season, as he hauled in 48 receptions for 888 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Fighting Irish in nearly every receiving category.
STRENGTHS
A big-bodied receiver who is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Ideal size and frame. Works back to throw aggressively. Shows the tools to become a solid pro blocker on the outside. Terrific deep ball skills, as he’s able to track the football by stretching the defense vertically.
WEAKNESSES
Needs to come away with more receptions in contested situations. Needs to improve his release package, as he often struggles to free release from the line of scrimmage. Too slow in and out of short breaks. Not as physical as his frame shows he should be. Only hauled in 59 career receptions, as he missed time with injuries and reported violations of team rules. Also has no special teams experience whatsoever.
ATHLETIC TESTING
At the NFL combine, Austin Jr. measured in at 6’2” and 200 lbs. Which equates to a BMI of 25.7. He ran a solid 4.43 40-yard dash (86th percentile), which at his height and weight equates to a 105.3-speed score (84th percentile). Austin Jr. also recorded a 132.3 burst score (92nd percentile), a 10.86 agility score (89th percentile), a 10.37 catch radius (96th percentile), and a college dominator of 23.8 percent (31st percentile).
Austin Jr. has elite leaping abilities, as his 39” vertical landed tied for third amongst the 40 receivers at the combine. His 11’ broad jump also landed him among the top receivers as well (fourth). His 9” hand size is a bit of concern, as well as injuries and lack of special teams play.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
In an underrated move, Jacksonville adds Austin Jr. to a wide receiver room that needed some depth. They currently roster Christian Kirk, Marvin Jones Jr., Zay Jones, Laviska Shenault Jr., Jamal Agnew, and Laquon Treadwell. But let’s be real here, Kirk is the only one that’s believed to contribute for a long time to this team. Trade rumors have surrounded Shenault Jr., and both Jones players are past their primes. Austin Jr. has a legitimate shot at making the 53-man roster and contributing at some point. For that reason alone, he’s worth a look at the end of deep dynasty start-up leagues. At worst, he’s a taxi squad candidate with great upside.
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