The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding another cornerback with some previous NFL experience to their group before training camp gets into full swing. The team, according to a report from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, has landed former XFL cornerback, Luq Barcoo of the San Antonio Brahmas, winning in a bidding war that included the division rival, Cleveland Browns, and the Dallas Cowboys.
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Luq Barcoo gets an interception during a game with the San Antonio Brahmas.
San Antonio Brahmas cornerback Luq Barcoo of the XFL is signing with the #Steelers, per source. Barcoo, who was with the Jaguars in 2020, did not attend a rookie minicamp but still received offers from Pittsburgh, Browns and Cowboys.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 15, 2023
Barcoo played two years of Juco at Grossmont College. In his freshman year, he totaled 21 total tackles, 2 interceptions, and 4 pass breakups while starting at cornerback. In his second season, he moved to wide receiver and registered 35 receptions for 767 yards and seven touchdowns. He then transferred to San Diego State in 2018 and spent the first season primarily on special teams. In 2019, he won a starting cornerback job and led all of college football in interceptions, pass break-ups, and passes defended. In one game against Colorado State, he snagged interceptions on three straight drives in the second half.
Despite the flashy stats, Barcoo went undrafted in 2020. He initially signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was waived after playing in three games. He joined the Arizona Cardinals for a brief stint on their practice squad and has also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Cheifs, and New York Jets, but only ever saw any game action with the Jaguars.
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Steelers cornerback signing Luq Barcoo (36) defends as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars against Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Steelers Connections To Former College Take-Away Artist
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Steelers safety, Damontae Kazee stretches during the 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The big obvious connection the Steelers organization has to the 24-year-old who turns 25 in July is through his head coach in San Antonio. Hines Ward is the head coach for the Brahmas and he's running the team with a Steelers mentality, which should entice Mike Tomlin to have a good look. He also had a pretty stellar season for the Brahmas, hence the small war for services.
Luq Barcoo to the Steelers!
— Free Agency Frosty (@FrostyTalksFB) May 15, 2023
Barcoo (6-0, 172), was the best CB in the XFL this year, and was on the 1st-Team XFL Team. In 10 games for the SA Brahmas, he totaled 31 tkls and 1 INT.
A standout for SDSU, Barcoo led the NCAA in PBUs his senior year before being a UDFA in 2020.
The Steelers have taken on another, perhaps, castaway defensive back from San Diego State before. Damontae Kazee never had to leave the NFL to show off his stuff, but after four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, he played one year with the Dallas Cowboys, before finding a home in Pittsburgh. The defensive back, who has switched between corner and safety his whole career, also has shown a knack for the ball, tying Kyle Fuller and Xavien Howard for the most interceptions in the league with seven.
Tomlin said one of the things he's looking for in undrafted free agents coming out of camp is pedigree and while the Steelers might not have invited him to camp, some of the pedigree from college and his previous pro stops are enough for Pittsburgh to give a chance.
What do you think of adding Barcoo to the mix at defensive back? Comment below!
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