Steelers 2-a-days: Excitement abounds for Calvin Austin III; Luq Barcoo was XFL standout

Editor’s note: From the end of minicamp through the day the team reports to training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Trib will be running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2023 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in mostly alphabetical order, (at least) two per day, from June 16-July 26. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

WR CALVIN AUSTIN III

Experience: 2nd season

Contract status: $876,085 cap hit in 2023, signed through 2025

2023 outlook: Just like last summer, Calvin Austin III’s 2023 organized team activities and minicamp dazzled onlookers at Steelers practices. Austin and the Steelers are hoping that his showcase this year can extend to stadiums.

A blazing-fast fourth-round pick in 2022, Austin missed all of his rookie season because of a foot injury suffered before the Steelers’ first preseason game. And while no one should blame a player for an injury, that the primary weakness of Austin’s profile is diminutive size (he’s listed generously at 5 feet 9, 162 pounds), it adds to the narrative Austin is too frail for pro football.

That remains to be seen. But something that does not need proven any further is whether he is fast enough for pro football. A sprinter on the University of Memphis track team, Austin has been timed at 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

That speed has shown to translate to the practice field. If it shows up in game situations, look out. Austin can be a useful weapon in an offense that has plenty of size among its pass catchers. Watching Austin figures to be among the most intriguing aspects of the Steelers’ preseason games. But first things first — he needs to stay healthy.

What CRUCIAL play by Luq Barcoo vs Adam Thielen pic.twitter.com/g1Gp3h1R6x

— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 6, 2020

CB LUQ BARCOO

Experience: 3 regular-season games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020

Contract status: $940,000 cap hit in 2023 (if he makes the team) on a one-year deal

2023 outlook: Barcoo and receiver Hakeem Butler were Steelers signees out of the XFL’s most recent season. Playing for a team coached by Steelers legend Hines Ward (the San Antonio Brahmas), in 10 spring games Barcoo had 31 tackles (21 solo, three for loss), one interception, one forced fumble and one sack. The Steelers are his sixth NFL organization since entering the league as an undrafted free agent three years ago.

That the 6-1, 180-pound Barcoo tied for the national lead in interceptions during his senior season at San Diego State is surely no coincidence — the Steelers under Mike Tomlin gravitate toward defensive backs who have shown a knack for the ball. He’s a converted college wide receiver with 4.4 speed, so Barcoo was worth a flier. But he faces an uphill battle making a roster that this spring added two cornerbacks in free agency and two more in the draft.

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