Notre Dame football: Kevin Austin Jr. puts on a show at the NFL Combine
By Brad Weiss
Kevin Austin Jr. stepped up in a big way for the Notre Dame football team this past season, and he stepped up in a big way for himself on Thursday.
This past season, the Notre Dame football team got a big contribution from Kevin Austin Jr., who was finally healthy enough to compete on a consistent basis. Leading the team in receiving yards, Austin Jr. was one of five members of the program invited to this year’s 2022 NFL Combine, and he did not disappoint.
Taking advantage of this golden opportunity to bolster his draft status, Austin Jr. dominated the field on Thursday, the first day of on-field workouts inside Lucas Oil Stadium. He displayed blazing speed, incredible athleticism, and solid hands, all things that could land him a spot on an NFL team’s draft board heading into April’s 2022 NFL Draft.
Aside from his solid 40-yard dash time, Austin Jr. tied for third in the high jump with a mark of 39.0, fifth in the broad jump, and first in the three-cone drill. Overall, it was the kind of performance that should take him from a fringe draft pick to a possible late Day 2, or early Day 3 selection.
Notre Dame football star shining in Indianapolis
Fellow Irish player Jack Coan also put on a display on Thursday, as the two teammates were some of the bigger winners of the first day of on-field workouts. They both needed a big week in Indianapolis to potentially hear their names called in the 2022 NFL Draft, and both men made the most of this opportunity.
On Friday, running back Kyren Williams will be the only member of the Irish to take the field, as the running backs and offensive linemen get their chance to impress the coaches and scouts at the Combine. Overall, this was an excellent start for not only these two men, but the program as a whole, as even prospects from the school that are not considered the top at their position can come in and make a statement against the best of the best.
Next up, the Pro Day.