The New York Giants made what looks like a smart, low-cost signing by grabbing wide receiver Calvin Austin in free agency. Here are three things to know about Austin.
Austin was a walk-on
Austin walked on at Memphis — where he always wanted to play — and had to to earn both his playing time and his scholarship. He didn’t become a full-time player until his junior season, when he caught 63 passes for 1,053 (16.7 yards per catch) and 11 TDs.
Here is what he told the Steelers website about that back in 2022:
“I walked on,” said Austin. “I didn’t play my first two and a half years almost. And then I kind of broke out on the scene in 2020. After that season I had other colleges asking if I’m going to transfer and this and that. But being a Memphis kid, I’m not leaving what I started. I’m finishing what I started. I’m loyal. People were asking me why did I stay. I’m Memphis and that’s what made me the person I am today, just having that toughness.”
Austin caught the TD pass that cost John Harbaugh his job
In a way, Austin is at least partially responsible for John Harbaugh getting fired by the Baltimore Ravens and ending up coaching the Giants.
Austin caught the game-winning 26-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers with :55 seconds left as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Ravens 26-24 in the 2025 regular-season finale, keeping Baltimore out of the playoffs.
Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal to end the game.
He’s a capable punt returner
The punt return job with the Giants appears to belong to Gunner Olszewski. Austin can do that job as well if the giants want him to. He has averaged 8.9 yards on 72 returns in three seasons, including a 73-yard touchdown against the Giants in 2024.
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