Ex-Notre Dame football wide receiver gets second NFL life

It’s that time of year. Guys who played their college years with programs like Notre Dame football are trying to find a way to keep things going. They’re hoping to catch on with a pro team. And this is the time of year where they’ll get their best chance to show the next level they’re worthy of a roster spot.

Count one former Fighting Irish wide receiver among those looking for new NFL life. Kevin Austin Jr. hasn’t done much in his post South Bend days so far, but he’s got another chance to show the pros he’s worth a flyer as he’s signed a new deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Ex-Notre Dame football player gets second NFL life

Austin, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 220 pounds, was originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2022.. The Fort Lauderdale native spent his rookie season on the Jaguars practice squad and went to training camp with the team in 2023. 

This past spring, Austin attempted to show he could play at the next level by moving to teh UFL. The former Irish stara played for the leagu champion Birmingham Stallions and finished with 15 receptions for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Considering that the Stallions ran an offense that relied quite a bit on the run, Austin didn’t get to show all that he could do.

The receiver’s best game of the UFL season was when he had four receptions for 108 yards (27.0 avg.) with an 80-yard touchdown, setting season-highs in all major receiving categories.

Kevin Austin Jr. tries his hand at more post-Notre Dame football shots

During his days with the Irish, Austin played in 26 games with 13 starts and finished with 54 receptions for 996 yards (18.4 avg.) and seven touchdowns. 

Most of his playing time with Notre Dame football came when he started all 13 games during the 2021 season, recording 48 receptions for 888 yards (18.5 avg.) with seven touchdowns.