Kevin Austin Jr. Bio
Kevin Douglas Austin Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver who plays for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 209 pounds, he has built his career as a long, athletic target at the receiver position. After going undrafted out of Notre Dame, Austin has bounced between NFL rosters and practice squads while also spending a season in the United Football League.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Douglas Austin Jr. was born on March 30, 2000, in Poughkeepsie, New York, though he grew up in the Fort Lauderdale area of Florida. He initially attended Western High School in Davie, Florida, before transferring to North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek after his freshman year. The move allowed him to further develop as a college prospect in a more competitive environment.
At North Broward Preparatory, Austin emerged as a dynamic playmaker on offense. During his junior season, he caught 41 passes for 1,021 yards and 13 touchdowns while also adding 454 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 46 carries. As a senior, he recorded 35 receptions for 761 yards and 11 touchdowns, finishing his high school career as one of the more productive wide receivers in South Florida.
Austin was rated a four-star recruit and drew scholarship offers from several major college football programs. He ultimately committed to Notre Dame over Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, and Florida, choosing to continue his development in a pro-style offensive system with a strong national profile.
Path to American Football
Austin’s path to professional football began with his recruitment to Notre Dame, where he joined a program known for producing NFL-caliber wide receivers. He played in 11 games as a freshman and posted 90 receiving yards while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game. That early exposure helped him understand the route tree and the physical demands required of a starting receiver at a top program.
His sophomore season, however, was derailed when he was suspended for the entire year for undisclosed reasons. He then missed most of his junior season after fracturing his foot during preseason training camp and reinjuring it shortly after returning. Despite the setbacks, Austin earned another chance as a senior and delivered his first full season as a starter, catching 48 passes for 888 yards and seven touchdowns. That performance, coming after the loss in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State, convinced him to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Kevin Austin Jr. Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Austin signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, and re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. He spent his rookie season developing on the practice squad, learning the Jaguars’ offensive system and refining his technique against professional-level cornerbacks.
In January 2023, Austin signed a reserve/future contract with Jacksonville, keeping him in the organization for the following preseason. On August 19, 2023, he caught his first professional pass against the Detroit Lions in the Jaguars’ second preseason game. He was waived again on August 29 as the team trimmed its roster, ending his time in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2022–2023)
Austin’s stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars was defined by perseverance. He joined the team as an undrafted free agent and consistently bounced between the active roster and the practice squad, a common path for young receivers trying to establish themselves. His first professional reception came in preseason action against the Lions, a milestone that validated his place in an NFL locker room.
Although he never appeared in a regular-season game for Jacksonville, Austin used his time with the organization to build the habits and fundamentals required to survive in the league. The experience prepared him for his next opportunity, this time in the spring football landscape.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2024)
On January 19, 2024, Austin signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League, joining one of the most successful spring football franchises. The Stallions offered him a chance to play meaningful snaps and reestablish himself as a productive receiver after two years of mostly practice-squad work.
Austin contributed to the Stallions’ championship season in 2024, earning a UFL championship ring. His contract was terminated on July 21 of that year to allow him to pursue an NFL opportunity, and within a day he had signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024–Present)
Austin signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints on July 22, 2024. He was released during final roster cuts on August 27 but was re-signed to the practice squad the next day to maintain his development within the organization. On December 7, 2024, he was promoted to the active roster, giving him his first regular-season action with the Saints.
In 2025, Austin continued to move between the active roster and the practice squad. He was waived on August 26 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day, then promoted to the active roster on September 20 before being waived two days later. He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 24, signed to the active roster on November 19, waived on December 2, re-signed to the practice squad two days later, and promoted back to the active roster on December 18. The frequent movement reflects a young receiver who remains on the cusp of establishing a permanent role in New Orleans.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Austin’s career milestones, his 2024 UFL championship with the Birmingham Stallions stands as his first professional title. He also earned Phil Steele First-team All-Independent honors in 2021 after his productive senior season at Notre Dame. His first professional reception came in preseason play against the Lions in August 2023, and he recorded his first regular-season roster promotions with both the Jaguars organization and the Saints.
Kevin Austin Jr. Career Wins
Kevin Austin Jr.’s professional résumé includes both a spring football championship and conference-level college recognition. While he has yet to record a regular-season NFL reception, his perseverance through multiple practice-squad stints and his championship contribution in the UFL highlight a career built on persistence.
UFL Highlights
Austin won a United Football League championship in 2024 as a member of the Birmingham Stallions. His contract was later terminated to allow him to return to the NFL, a move that underscored how his spring production had caught the attention of league scouts.
College Highlights
As a senior at Notre Dame in 2021, Austin caught 48 passes for 888 yards and seven touchdowns, earning Phil Steele First-team All-Independent recognition. That senior campaign, played after two seasons disrupted by suspension and injury, marked the most productive stretch of his college career and paved the way for his professional opportunity.
Kevin Austin Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Kevin Austin Jr.’s immediate family has not been publicly confirmed in available sources. His full name indicates he shares his name with a father or older relative, though no further details about a football lineage have been verified.
Personal Life
Austin has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye. Available records do not list a spouse or children, and he has not publicly discussed long-term residence details beyond his Florida upbringing. He maintains a public social media presence under the handle associated with his name.
2025 Season Performance
Austin’s 2025 season with the New Orleans Saints has been defined by repeated transitions between the active roster and the practice squad. He began training camp with the team but was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, then immediately re-signed to the practice squad. The Saints promoted him to the active roster on September 20 before waiving him again two days later, signaling the team’s continued evaluation of his role in the receiver rotation.
He returned to the practice squad on September 24 and stayed there through much of the fall before being signed back to the active roster on November 19. A subsequent waiver on December 2 followed by another practice-squad re-sign and a December 18 promotion completed a season of constant movement between rosters. Throughout the year, Austin has remained focused on taking advantage of every promotion to show what he can offer the Saints’ passing game.
Looking ahead, Austin enters the next phase of his career as a developing receiver whose combination of size, athleticism, and special-teams potential gives him a path to a more permanent role. His experience within the Saints’ system, combined with the discipline built across multiple practice-squad stints, positions him as a depth option worth monitoring as the team shapes its receiving corps for future seasons.