Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1506454
50 SEPT. 2, 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE F ormer Fighting Irish wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. needed something, anything, to jump-start his NFL career after spending all of last season on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad. After tumbling out of the draft in 2022, Austin became the headliner for Jacksonville last spring in the undrafted free agent market. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he is a physically big and gifted player who is considered to have a high talent ceiling. Austin was one of the first signings for Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke following last year's draft. Still given solid odds to make the Jaguars' 53-man roster in 2022 after a standout combine performance, Aus- tin didn't make the cut and never ap- peared in a game. But instead of pouting and withdrawing this offseason, Austin used his time last year to learn the NFL way, the Jaguars' offense and to become more comfortable in head coach Doug Pederson's system and with starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Austin expects to put those lessons into practice this season. And his notable work during training camp suggested he was staying on track to land an opening- day active roster spot. He had just 1 re- ception for 3 yards in Jacksonville's first two preseason games, but his effort this summer has not gone unnoticed. "Kevin has been the one that has done a really nice job embracing that second year," Pederson told Jacksonville.com. "Coming in and understanding what we're asking him to do in his role, it's a big training camp for him." Austin's increased comfort in the sys- Kevin Austin Jr. Is Making A Second-Year NFL Push Name Years At Notre Dame Pos. Team Brandon Aubrey 2013-16 K Dallas Cowboys Kevin Austin Jr. 2018-21 WR Jacksonville Jaguars Aaron Banks 2017-20 OL San Francisco 49ers Alex Bars 2014-18 OL Las Vegas Raiders Ian Book 2016-20 QB Philadelphia Eagles Miles Boykin 2015-18 WR Pittsburgh Steelers Chase Claypool 2016-19 WR Chicago Bears Scott Daly 2012-16 LS Detroit Lions Avery Davis 2017-22 WR Detroit Lions Sheldon Day 2012-15 DL Minnesota Vikings Liam Eichenberg 2016-20 OL Miami Dolphins Jalen Elliott 2016-19 S Pittsburgh Steelers Isaiah Foskey 2019-22 DE New Orleans Saints Alohi Gilman 2017-19 S Los Angeles Chargers Blake Grupe 2022 K New Orleans Saints Robert Hainsey 2017-20 OL Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kyle Hamilton 2019-21 S Baltimore Ravens Kurt Hinish 2017-21 DT Houston Texans J.J. Jansen 2004-07 LS Carolina Panthers Tony Jones Jr. 2016-19 RB Denver Broncos Brandon Joseph 2022 S Detroit Lions Khalid Kareem 2017-19 DE Indianapolis Colts Cole Kmet 2017-19 TE Chicago Bears Tommy Kraemer 2016-20 OG New Orleans Saints Julian Love 2015-18 DB Seattle Seahawks Josh Lugg 2017-22 OL Chicago Bears Alizé Mack 2015-18 TE Tennessee Titans Zack Martin 2009-13 OL Dallas Cowboys Michael Mayer 2020-22 TE Las Vegas Raiders Nick McCloud 2020 CB New York Giants Mike McGlinchey 2013-17 OL Denver Broncos Sam Mustipher 2014-18 OL Baltimore Ravens Quenton Nelson 2014-17 OL Indianapolis Colts Julian Okwara 2016-19 LB Detroit Lions Romeo Okwara 2012-15 DL Detroit Lions Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah 2017-20 LB Cleveland Browns Jarrett Patterson 2018-22 OL Houston Texans Troy Pride Jr. 2016-19 DB New Orleans Saints Isaac Rochell 2013-16 DE Las Vegas Raiders Ben Skowronek 2020 WR Los Angeles Rams Chris Smith 2022 DT Detroit Lions Harrison Smith 2007-11 S Minnesota Vikings Jaylon Smith 2013-15 LB New Orleans Saints Durham Smythe 2013-17 TE Miami Dolphins Equanimeous St. Brown 2015-17 WR Chicago Bears Ronnie Stanley 2012-15 OT Baltimore Ravens Jerry Tillery 2015-18 DL Las Vegas Raiders Drue Tranquill 2014-18 LB Kansas City Chiefs Tommy Tremble 2018-20 TE Carolina Panthers Kyren Williams 2019-21 RB Los Angeles Rams Brock Wright 2017-20 TE Detroit Lions Irish In The NFL Training Camps As of Aug. 22 Austin, who spent the entire 2022 season on the Jaguars' practice squad, is contending for a spot on the active roster this season. PHOTO COURTESY JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS