If there's one thing the NFL thrives on on nowadays, it's speed. Linemen are running sub-five 40 times, quarterbacks are expected to be able to make plays with their legs and their arm, and wideouts are getting faster than they have ever been before.

Enter Calvin Austin III, Memphis' blazing wide receiver hoping to New York Yankees Jersey make the grade in the NFL. Austin wasn't always destined for the NFL; the 23-year-old was a track standout who walked on to the Tigers football team as a freshman. He proceeded to light up the AAC over his next four years, racking up back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in 2020 and 2021.

Austin's frame is slight, but the two-time All-AAC receiver po se ses a unique blend of speed and quickne s, one that potentially has him poised to Reggie Jackson Jersey go in Day 2 of the NFL Draft. SN's Vinnie Iyer has the Falcons selecting Austin with the No. 82 pick in .

IYER:

Sporting News breaks down what you need to do about the speedy wideout:

Calvin Austin III height, weight

Austin is 5-foot-8, 170 pounds. Compared to the top wide receivers in this year's draft cla s, Austin is short. However, he's one of the fastest players in this year's draft. After all, most receivers don't double as all-conference track stars; Austin was part of Memphis' 4x100 team that qualified for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships as a freshman and sophomore.

Speed kills in the NFL and if there's one thing Austin knows better Johnny Damon Jersey than most, it's speed.

Calvin Austin III 40 time

Austin starred at this year's NFL Combine, and third-best among receivers at 4.32 seconds. For comparison, the Ohio State receivers projected to go in the first round, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, clocked in at 4.38 and 4.39, respectively.

RankPlayerPositionSchool40 time1.Kalon BarnesCBBaylor4.232.Tariq WoolenCBUTSA4.263.Tyquan ThorntonWRBaylor4.284.Velus JonesWRTenne see4.315.Calvin Austin IIIWRMemphis4.32Why did Calvin Austin III walk on at Memphis?

Austin isn't your normal walk-on, admittedly. He dazzled at Memphis' Harding Academy, just a 15-minute drive from the Tigers' home, Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. He earned a three-star rating, .

Austin always had his sights set on Memphis, last December. A scholarship offer never materialized, though.

He had plenty of suitors on the track, including the Tigers. So, Austin decided to stay home, on one condition: He Don Larsen Jersey would have to be able to play football, too.

The best Memphis football could offer Austin was a preferred walk-on role. Still, he took his chance and ran with it, literally, overcoming a dour first two seasons to become one of the Tigers' best wide receivers in recent memory.

It was my dream to stay in Memphis, Austin said. Obviously I didnt want to walk on here, but it was either walk on here and actually love being here or go somewhere else where I probably wasnt gonna be as happy. "

NFL DRAFT SLEEPERS:

Calvin Austin III draft profile

Austin shares a lot of similarities with another undersized receiver from an unheralded background: Tyreek Hill. Their Relative Athletic Scores a metric that provides tools to contrast and compare player's known measurables compare quite favorably.

That isn't to say that Austin is the next Hill the recently traded Dolphins receiver is one of the league's best players, an all-around dynamo capable of changing a game at any point. However, the succe s of diminutive wideouts like Hill and, to a le ser extent, Cole Beasley, Greg Bird Jersey offer a potential indication of what role Austin can play at the next level.

Austin is lightning in the open field, a fact he exhibited on this 69-yard jet sweep against Navy last season:

He profiles as a potentially dynamic kick and punt returner straight out the gate. His route-running has improved as well, .

Take his showing in Memphis' 2020 game with Cincinnati. Matched Andy Pettitte Jersey up against prospective top-10 pick Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Austin showed off a good understanding of how to leverage his release to isolate Gardner in the open field. Few can stay in front of Austin in a straight line, a fact he is well aware of. If his route-running continues to progre s, Austin may be able to contribute as a slot receiver.

Calvin Austin III career statsYearReceptionsRec. YardsRec. TouchdownsAvg.2018224012.0201917315318.52020631,0531116.72021741,149815.5