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The Pittsburgh Steelers always seem to sign a few of the players they invite to rookie mini camp. This year won't be any different as they've reached an agreement with cornerback Carlins Platel. With the signing of Platel that means that they'll have to make another move and release a player to stay at the 90 man limit.
Mike Uva from Gamecock Central broke the news on Twitter with a report that Platel had informed him of the Steelers intent to sign him as rookie camp concluded.
Former South Carolina DB @CarlinsPlatel has informed me that he has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Platel took some time to talk with me to shared his thoughts on reaching this point after starting his career at DII @AssumptionFB. https://t.co/kOqR8IBfPx
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) May 15, 2022
Platel was a graduate transfer from Division II Assumption University in Worchester, Mass., a member of the Northeast-10 Conference, who played one season at South Carolina. During his one season with the Gamecocks Platel he recorded 21 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and 1 sack.
“It’s surreal,” said Platel to Gamecocks Central, moments after signing his first NFL contract. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little kid but it’s gotta be short lived because I gotta keep working to make that 53 (man roster).”
Platel was invited to the Steelers cross-state Philadelphia Eagles' rookie mini camp last weekend, but he didn't receive a contract offer from the Eagles. But one of the Steelers scouts was in attendance and invited the rookie to Pittsburgh this weekend for another chance.
“It was only a two day [mini camp] but I did really well over there and was making plays. They didn’t offer me a contract but thankfully a Steelers personnel was in attendance and he called me the next day and invited me to the Steelers mini-camp.”
Earlier in the off-season Platel told Uva that he was very thankful to be able to make the jump from a division II school to South Carlina as a graduate student.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity South Carolina gave me. For coach (Shane) Beamer, coach (Clayton) White, coach (Torrian) Gray, everybody on that staff. They believed in me, a small kid from Everett Massachusetts from Assumption University to come down to the SEC and play. When I got here I wanted to prove them right. I’ll always be grateful for them.”
Platel will join Chris Steele, Linden Stephen, and Bryce Watts in a competition to make the Steelers 53 man roster, or practice squad.
