When wide receiver Calvin Austin III was preparing for the 2022 NFL draft, it was his 4.32-second 40-yard dash that stole the headlines. But when the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Austin in the fourth round, they did it because he proved to be a complete player, not just a deep threat.

Now it is 2025 and Austin is coming off of his best year as a pro, is fully healthy and eyeing a spot in the starting lineup, we look back to his final two seasons at Memphis to get an idea of what Pittsburgh is hoping for should Austin be in the starting lineup with DK Metcalf.

Austin caught 137 passes for 2,002 yards and 20 total touchdowns in his final two seasons. The bulk of the memphis offense ran through Austin and every opposing defense knew he was the top target and they couldn’t slow him down. This was despite only being 5-foot-9 and at the time somewhere in the neighborhook of 165 pounds. In 2021, Austin caught 74 passes and the next-best receiver on the team caught just 29 passes.

In case anyone needs reminding of what a fully healthy Austin is capable of, check out his highlights from his time at Memphis.

The Steelers are hoping to get that version of Austin this season as he assumes a much heavier workload in an offense short-handed at wide receiver.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Looking back to Memphis for Steelers WR Calvin Austin III breakout season