Memphis football's leading receiver Calvin Austin III will return for 2021 season

Memphis' leading wide receiver will be back for the 2021 season.

Calvin Austin III said Friday that he'll return for his senior year with the Tigers after a  1,000-yard campaign. In his statement on Twitter, he said he considered declaring for the NFL Draft before deciding to return.

"After many prayers and talk with my family it became evident to me that I could not envision myself anywhere else but (playing) for the University of Memphis, my hometown, alongside my brothers for another year," Austin's statement read.

In his first season on scholarship, Austin finished with 1,053 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named to the All-AAC first team. Austin also had a punt return for a score against Stephen F. Austin.

He started every game this season and stepped up as the Tigers' No. 1 receiver after Damonte Coxie opted out midseason to declare for the NFL Draft. 

Austin, who walked on to the team in 2017, also broke Anthony Miller's program record with five consecutive games with at least 100 yards receiving. He also had a touchdown catch in four consecutive games to end the season.

He's now the latest Tigers upperclassmen to announce he'll be back next season. Tight end Sean Dykes, linebacker Thomas Pickens and cornerback Jacobi Francis also announced their intentions to return in 2021.

Want to stay informed on the latest Memphis sports news? A Commercial Appeal subscription gets you unlimited access to the best inside information and updates on local sports, and the ability to tap into sports news from throughout the USA TODAY Network's 109 local sites.

You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com