University of Memphis Athletics

Austin III Named Burlsworth Trophy Nominee
Nov 02, 2021 | Football
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III was named one of 88 nominees for the Burlsworth Trophy on Tuesday. Last season, Austin III was a Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist.
In the award's twelfth year, the trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Burlsworth's life is also the subject of a major motion picture, "GREATER", which was released in 2016. The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.
Austin III has established himself as one of the best wide receivers and weapons in the NCAA. He ranks sixth in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (112.6), seventh in receiving yards (901), seventh in receiving touchdowns (8) and 13th in receptions per game (7.1).
He is also second in the NCAA in scrimmage plays over 50 yards (5), fourth in 60 yards or more (3) and seventh in both plays over 20 yards (16) and 40 yards (6). Austin III has posted two of the top-five receiving games in program history this year. His 239 yards at Arkansas State rank second, while his 200 at Tulsa rank fifth.
With his 901 receiving yards, Austin III ranks eighth all-time on the Memphis single-season list. He also ranks tied for 11th on the program's single-season touchdown list (8) and 12th on the receptions list (57).
Along with being a Burlsworth Trophy nominee, Austin III was also named to the Maxwell Award Watch List and Biletnikoff Award Watch List. He was also named the Kia Player of the Month for September and was recently invited to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
The Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2021 winner will on December 6th at 7:00pm CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
In the award's twelfth year, the trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Burlsworth's life is also the subject of a major motion picture, "GREATER", which was released in 2016. The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.
Austin III has established himself as one of the best wide receivers and weapons in the NCAA. He ranks sixth in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (112.6), seventh in receiving yards (901), seventh in receiving touchdowns (8) and 13th in receptions per game (7.1).
He is also second in the NCAA in scrimmage plays over 50 yards (5), fourth in 60 yards or more (3) and seventh in both plays over 20 yards (16) and 40 yards (6). Austin III has posted two of the top-five receiving games in program history this year. His 239 yards at Arkansas State rank second, while his 200 at Tulsa rank fifth.
With his 901 receiving yards, Austin III ranks eighth all-time on the Memphis single-season list. He also ranks tied for 11th on the program's single-season touchdown list (8) and 12th on the receptions list (57).
Along with being a Burlsworth Trophy nominee, Austin III was also named to the Maxwell Award Watch List and Biletnikoff Award Watch List. He was also named the Kia Player of the Month for September and was recently invited to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
The Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2021 winner will on December 6th at 7:00pm CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Football: Jordon Hankins Press Conference-October 22, 2025
Wednesday, October 22
Football: Tim Cramsey Press Conference - October 21, 2025
Tuesday, October 21
Football: Ryan Silverfield Press Conference-October 20, 2025
Monday, October 20
Football: Greg Desrosiers Jr. Press Conference - October 18, 2025
Sunday, October 19




