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Notre Dame

Notre Dame receiver Kevin Austin reportedly makes decision on future

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•01/02/22•

Jonathan Wagner

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Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

Notre Dame’s leading receiver, Kevin Austin, has reportedly made his decision on whether to return to school for a final season or to enter the NFL Draft. According to The Athletic’s Pete Sampson, Austin will be foregoing his remaining eligibility and entering the NFL Draft.

“According to multiple sources, Notre Dame receiver Kevin Austin Jr. will declare for the NFL Draft instead of returning for a graduate season,” Sampson tweeted. “Austin led Notre Dame’s receivers with 48 catches, 888 yards and 7 TDs.”

Austin caught 48 passes for the Irish this season, totaling 888 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He caught six total passes for 108 yards in 2018 and 2020, while he missed the 2019 season due to a suspension. In the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Austin caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, giving him two consecutive games with six receptions and at least 105 receiving yards.

Austin leaving is a big blow to Notre Dame’s receiving room

Losing Austin to the NFL, should he officially declare for the draft, would be a big blow to Notre Dame’s offense. He was the team’s leading receiver this season, and averaged 99.2 receiving yards per game over Notre Dame’s final five games of the year.

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Without Austin, Notre Dame’s offense will have to rely on younger players next season. Tight end Michael Mayer, one of the best tight ends in the nation, will be back for another season, which is great for the Irish. Wide receivers Avery Davis and Braden Lenzy could also stick around for another season.

Notre Dame has three true freshmen wideouts that were high end recruits coming into the season: Lorenzo Styles, Deion Colzie and Jayden Thomas. Styles had 24 receptions for 344 yards and one touchdown this season. Colzie had four catches for 67 yards.

Additionally, Notre Dame is adding four-star wideout Tobias Merriweather as part of the 2022 class. But he is the only incoming receiver as part of this recruiting class.

On3’s Ashton Pollard contributed to this report.