Isaiahh Loudermilk in Year 2: "I just want to be able to be a guy they [the Steelers] trust fully"

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end, Isaiahh Loudermilk is entering year two in the National Football League. After being drafted by the Steel City in the fifth round (156th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft, Loudermilk signed his four-year rookie contract with the black and gold. In a 2021 season filled with severe holes in the Steelers defense, Loudermilk looks to be a key catalyst in the front seven in 2022 and beyond.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end, Isaiahh Loudermilk (#92) participates in the Organized Team Activities (OTA's), Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers

Loudermilk, 24, spent his collegiate career at Wisconsin where he was named Third Team All Big Ten in 2020. In 2021, he recorded 23 tackles in his rookie year with the Steelers, along with 1 sack and 3 passes defensed. Pittsburgh overall however, finished in the bottom half of the league in total defense (361.1 yards per game), and were dead last in defending the rush per game (146.1). In year two, Loudermilk is hoping he can help improve those numbers.

Steelers' 5th Round Pick, Isaiahh Loudermilk on Cam Heyward: “I Couldn’t Ask for a Better Mentor”

Steelers Live caught up with Loudermilk during the second week of OTA's and was able to get some insight from the second-year player on how he can best help the franchise in 2022 and beyond:

"I mean just, help wherever I can. Of course, I want to improve my game: run, pass, all that. But, I just want to be able to be a guy they [the Steelers] put in there, and trust fully to get the job done, and help make plays."

When asked about playing maybe quicker than expected in his rookie season, Loudermilk definitely wasn't expecting that, but he expressed how he was certainly ready for it:

"We haven't really talked about it, but that's just kind of how it happens. I came in not really expecting much, but I was prepared for it. That's kind of how I go about it -- stay prepared no matter what. There were a lot of opportunities for us. A lot of dudes stepped up to the plate. I think a lot of guys will make a big jump this next year."

Loudermilk also expressed how he can truly help this run defense by being the best version of himself, not coming off the field on third downs, and continuing to understand the defensive scheme (which is similar to what he experienced at Wisconsin).

Along with a returning, but aging, Tyson Alualu, and the continued uncertainty surrounding Stephon Tuitt, Loudermilk just may very well be forced to play "quicker than expected" yet again in 2022. The question is, how much longer will he fully have to wait before his name is mentioned in the same breath as Cam Heyward as Pittsburgh's best defensive lineman? That too may come quicker than Steeler Nation is expecting.

Hear straight from Loudermilk this off-season below:

How are yinz feeling about Loudermilk entering the 2022 regular season? Can Pittsburgh trust him to help continue to improve this run defense? Will he be reliable enough upfront this season and for the long-term future? Let us know your thoughts; click to comment below!

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