Austin faces stiff competition for a spot in crowded Saints receiver room
Wednesday means that there are 81 days until the New Orleans Saints officially start their 59th NFL regular season. The Saints will kick off the 2025 season at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. is currently wearing number 81 for New Orleans. He is in his second year with the franchise. Our Saints Player of the Day, here’s a closer look at Austin’s background and career.
A four-star high school recruit, Austin transferred from Western High School in Florida to North Broward Preparatory School for his senior year before committing to the University of Notre Dame. He’d play sparingly in 11 games for the Fighting Irish as a freshman in 2018, catching 5 passes for 90 yards. Austin was suspended by the team for the entire 2019 season for violation of team rules, then played in only two games in 2020 because of a foot injury. He finally showcased what he could do during the 2021 campaign, pulling in 48 receptions for 888 yards and 7 scores. Austin led the 2021 Fighting Irish and all independent schools in receiving yardage and touchdown receptions.
Not selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Austin was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars released him during the preseason but brought him back to their practice squad. He’d spend the year on the practice squad without any regular season action, then was released by Jacksonville again at the end of the 2023 preseason.
The Birmingham Stallions of the UFL (United Football League) signed Austin for their 2024 spring season. Austin caught 15 passes for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Stallions in 10 games. Birmingham would go on to win the UFL championship. That offseason, the Stallions released Austin from his contract to sign with the New Orleans Saints. He’d catch 2 of his 6 targets in three preseason outings with New Orleans, resulting in 18 yards. The Saints released him at the end of the preseason but re-signed him to the practice squad.
Injuries hit the Saints receiving corps hard in 2024. As a result, Austin was promoted to the active roster at mid-season and played the final eight games with two starts. He appeared in 66% of the offensive snaps over that stretch, catching 11 of 22 targets for 151 yards but no touchdowns.
Kevin Austin looks to hold onto his New Orleans roster spot this offseason. Starters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed return from their injuries, as does 2024 rookie Bub Means. The Saints also brought back veteran speedster Brandin Cooks. Austin will also compete with veteran addition Donovan Peoples-Jones, holdovers Dante Pettis, Mason Tipton, and Cedrick Wilson, and undrafted rookie additions Chris Tyree and Moochie Dixon.
