Since Mike Tomlin took over as Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, they have drafted multiple players from the same school six times. While odds point to it not happening, the Steelers have actually executed this four years in a row. The schools the Steelers have done this with are as follows: Texas Longhorns (2008), Ohio State Buckeyes (2010), Tennessee Volunteers (2017), Oklahoma State Cowboys (2018), Michigan Wolverines (2019), Maryland Terrapins (2020). Three Big Ten, two Big 12, and one SEC team make up the group of schools showing a simple trend. If they double dip, they will do it with the Power 5 conferences (plus Notre Dame). Below are three schools that possess a group of players who the Steelers could be interested in keeping together.
Ohio State Buckeyes
This is an obvious choice given they are considered the class of the college football world. They consistently have a Top 5 recruiting classes and can develop talent, which shows in the caliber of players they put into the NFL Draft year in and year out. While Justin Fields (quarterback) is the crown jewel of the group, offensive players like Josh Myers (center), Wyatt Davis (guard), Trey Sermon (running back), and Luke Farrell (tight end) would all fill needs for the Steelers offense. Myers and Sermon could both be plug and play Day 1 starters for the Steelers, while Davis and Farrell would both provide much needed depth to two thin position groups.
On the defensive side, the duo of Baron Browning (linebacker) and Pete Werner (linebacker) are at least 6'2" 240lbs and run a sub 4.60 40-yard dash. The linebacker room could use that size and athleticism to pair with Devin Bush and Robert Spillane. Shaun Wade (cornerback) was considered by many to be a first round talent for the 2020 NFL Draft, but after a move to the outside and an injury impacting his 2020 campaign, Wade has slipped down draft boards to the middle rounds. If he could play similar to his 2019 season in a slot corner role, this could strengthen a position for the Steelers that just lost Mike Hilton to a division rival. Lastly one player who I am a huge advocate for, Drue Chrisman (punter). He placed 72 of his career 185 punts inside the 20 and everyone in Pittsburgh knows Jordan Berry has a short leash based on how Tomlin handled the position last year.
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish have slowly become the place to look when it comes to needing offensive linemen. Liam Eichenberg (tackle), Robert Hainsey (tackle), Aaron Banks (guard), and Tommy Kraemer (guard) would be names to lookout for as the Steelers had all hands on deck, including new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, for the Pro Day in South Bend, Indiana. While the Steelers have had multiple offseason signings on the offensive line, they need to continue to get younger across the front 5. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (linebacker) otherwise known as "JOK" is an interesting prospect. Playing linebacker for the Fighting Irish, he comes into the NFL slightly "undersized" measuring in at 6'1" 221lbs, a similar size to former Steeler, Ryan Shazier. Owusu-Koramoah could be an interesting weapon in the Steelers defense depending where Tomlin and Keith Butler would choose to put him. Tommy Tremble (tight end) is another mid-round prospect that could come in and be the main blocking tight end for the Steelers, something they desperately need.
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Florida State Seminoles
If the Steelers go this route, that likely means they drafted Asante Samuel Jr. (cornerback). Samuel was quoted as saying his interview with Tomlin and company went very well. Samuel has NFL bloodlines something the Steelers typically love in a draft prospect. Outside of Samuel, the Seminoles mostly possess defensive talents. Marvin Wilson (defensive lineman), who was once considered a first round talent, would add depth to an aging defensive line. Hamsah Nasirildeen (safety) is a 6'4" 220lb safety that would add much needed depth to a very thin room. He has the ability to play a box safety similar to Terrell Edmunds so he could be a big asset in sub packages. Janarius Robinson (edge) and Josh Kaindoh (edge) could each be raw talent added to the outside linebacker group. Tamorrian Terry (wide receiver) is the lone offensive talent who has big time play making ability. His talent was easily overlooked with the Seminoles continuous offensive struggles, but Terry scored 17 touchdowns in 2018-2019 and averaged over 19.8 yards per catch. 2021 was a down year but he could be someone the Steelers add and turn into the next big Steelers receiver.
Do any of these prospects excite you, Steeler Nation? What other schools could the Steelers be strongly interested in? Drop a comment below!
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