“He’s both quick and fast, and his quickness allows him to get clearances at the attack line and he has the kind of long speed that allows them to create separation whether it’s up the pitch or down the field.” said Tomlin of Austin and why he was able to create explosive plays, according to Steelers.com. “And when you’re quick and fast, you usually position yourself to have the kind of stats you described.”

When the Steelers drafted Calvin Austin out of Memphis in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, that kind of production from Austin was largely what they expected. But then he missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury and was relatively quiet in his second year, even during some big plays on offense.

But this season, Austin has taken to the coaching of new wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni and has really developed into a key weapon for the Black and Gold. He’s undersized, but Austin has made an impact for the Steelers with his speed and ability to run all routes in the route tree.

He was also needed as the Steelers began the year with questions at receiver behind Pickens. While he wasn’t always consistent – seven games with one reception – he was a big-time player who found ways to impact games when he was targeted.

Calvin Austin has received high praise from Azzanni and Wilson, and now Tomlin is praising the “quick and fast” receiver who has become an underrated figure in Arthur Smith’s offense.