Steelers rookie WR Calvin Austin III uses speed to overcome size disadvantage

As little Calvin Austin III — he’s 5-foot-8, 170 pounds — spoke with reporters at Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp Saturday, he recalled the biggest slight he has heard as a football player.

Of course, it had to do with his size. It always does when it comes to Austin, the Steelers’ fourth-round draft pick from Memphis.

It came at a football camp when Austin was in high school and trying to show he could compete at the Division I level in college. A coach, however, said Austin should set his sights lower.

Not the FCS level. Not even Division II.

“He told me I should talk to a D-III school,” Austin said. “That is one that really stuck out to me the most. I remember calling my dad after, and I was mad and hurt. I had a great showing, and (the coach) said I should talk to some D-III school because I’d be a great fit?

“I’ll never forget that.”

Austin never got that Division I football offer coming out of high school. It wasn’t until his redshirt sophomore year at Memphis — after he walked on to the program while also running track — that Austin was converted to a scholarship player.

Austin used such slights as inspiration. He became a two-time 1,000-yard receiver at Memphis, earned a trip to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine and made a convincing enough showing in workouts that the Steelers drafted him to fill a void at slot receiver.

His size again was a dominant topic of discussion at rookie minicamp where Austin didn’t exactly stand out in the crowd. Then again, he’s used to the questions.

“When I would go to camps and have great showing there, I would run a fast 40 but they would always be about my size,” Austin said. “Coaches would say I have to get big. That is why I write down in my phone and my notes all of the things people or coaches have said to me in the past about that. That’s my motivation.”

Even the numbers on the minicamp roster don’t portray an accurate depiction of his build. Austin is listed as 5-9, 162 pounds. He measured an inch shorter at the NFL Combine. And as far as that weight is concerned?

“That was my weight my sophomore year in college,” he said. “I haven’t been 162 in a minute.”

Austin said his weight fluctuates between 170-175 pounds, which still makes him at least 10 pounds lighter than kicker Chris Boswell. He added weight after giving up track in 2019 so he could concentrate exclusively on football.

Even though he is a little heavier than when he was an All-American sprinter, Austin still maintains beep-beep speed — as evidenced by his 4.32 time in the 40-yard dash.

“When you’re small, man, you better be fast in this game,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “That’s the reality of it. It’s not earth-shaking or ground-breaking. That is his distinguishing trait, and it has to show up in all aspects of his game.”

Austin said he’s had to prove his detractors wrong since he suited up as a 5-4, 130-pound defensive back in his freshman year at Harding Academy in Memphis.

“Tackling bigger running backs, guarding bigger receivers helped with my toughness,” he said.

And when playing offense, Austin learned that when he couldn’t outrun everyone, he had to have a smile on his face after absorbing the punishing hits that invariably would occur when he caught passes over the middle of the field.

“The best thing is popping up right after and flexing on them,” Austin said. “That’s what I like do to.”

Austin will have to prove he can take the type of punishment dished out by NFL safeties and linebackers, particularly when he’s running between the hash marks.

“When I get out there, it’s never been like these guys are big and I’m small,” he said. “When I get out there, I’m a dog. I’m just ready for whatever competition, whoever is in front of me. When I’m on the field, I have no fear.”

He credits his upbringing for providing such a positive outlook.

“I have a great support system,” Austin said. “My family — mom, dad, my sisters — they all believe in me. One of the biggest and most important quotes I live by is, ‘You’re supposed to do it for the people who do believe in you. Don’t do it for the people who don’t believe in you.’ ”