Former Notre Dame wide receiver takes advantage of UFL opportunity, signs with the New Orleans Saints

With the United Football League (UFL) gaining tremendous traction and popularity this past season, the alternative league has allowed for the NFL to get more and more eyes on some talented football players just waiting for their next opportunity. We have seen a long list of former UFL stars get opportunities this offseason, signing various contracts with NFL organizations.

That includes former Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr., who signed with the New Orleans Saints this week. Austin spent this past season with the Birmingham Stallions, who just secured their second straight league championship. The former Irish standout was an important player for the Stallions, hauling in 15 receptions for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

A former highly regarded recruit coming out of North Broward Prep in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Austin had his fair share of struggles during his Notre Dame career. After several injuries and a suspension, Austin finally got to showcase his overall skill set during the 2021 season. Austin made 48 receptions that season for 888 yards and seven touchdowns.

While the production was good on paper, Austin’s film was still maddeningly inconsistent. He had the chance to return in 2022 but instead opted to enter the 2022 NFL Draft. For a while it appeared that Austin would get drafted after putting together a stellar performance at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. That included running the forty-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, broad jumping 11 feet, vertical jumping 39 inches and posting elite short shuttle (4.15 seconds) and three-cone (6.71 seconds) numbers.

That still wasn’t enough for NFL scouts to forgive his inconsistencies on film. After going undrafted, Austin spent some time in camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was unable to earn a spot on their 53-man roster. His time with the Stallions was Austin’s opportunity to get more game film, and hope to impress an NFL team enough to get the next chance.

There does appear to be an opportunity at wide receiver for the Saints in 2024. Outside of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, there are some notable names but nobody that seems untouchable. Austin appears to have a legitimate chance to challenge for a roster spot this offseason, or at least a practice squad opportunity.