Steelers 2025 Rookie Minicamp Tryouts: What You Want To Know

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On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced their 45-man rookie minicamp roster. Probably the most notable names are the staff’s drafted rookie class, starting with first-rounder Derrick Harmon. However the bulk of the group collaborating all through the weekend is made up of the 25 tryout gamers. Principally rookies however a handful of veterans attending with no contract and no assured of being signed.

As we do yearly, right here’s a take a look at every of the Steelers’ tryout gamers. Greater than half of the record was identified earlier than the staff launched the roster, however we’ll revisit all of the names. On the backside, I’ll record seven gamers with one of the best odds of being signed to the staff’s offseason roster, although perceive it’s only a guess and what occurs over the weekend issues most.

Seth Morgan/QB New Hampshire – A neighborhood native who attended Mt. Lebanon, the identical highschool assistant GM Andy Weidl (and brother Casey, a Steelers’ scout) attended. Morgan performed for 3 faculties: VMI, Shepherd and New Hampshire.

He had a powerful run at VMI earlier than transferring to D-II Shepherd. He parlayed a superb season there to get again on the FCS degree, throwing for greater than 2,300 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024. Morgan provides good measurement at 6027, 214 kilos and ran a 4.84 at his Professional Day.

Morgan and Will Howard will function the Steelers’ two quarterbacks in rookie minicamp.

Max Hurleman/RB Notre Dame – Nerding out right here for a second. It’s a small footnote however itemizing Hurleman at operating again is notable. He started his faculty profession enjoying operating again for FCS Colgate. The staff switched him to receiver for 2023 earlier than he transferred to Notre Dame and have become a nook, although his main position was because the Preventing Irish’s punt returner.

In 2024, he recorded 13 tackles and averaged 6 yards per punt return on 23 makes an attempt. Now, he’s listed as a operating again to spherical out depth over the weekend. At his Professional Day, Hurleman weighed in at 5107, 200 kilos with a 4.65 40-time.

Trey Sermon/RB (Veteran) – Arguably the most important “identify” among the many tryout gamers, Sermon is a former third-round choose of the San Francisco 49ers. He rushed for 167 yards and his first NFL landing as a rookie however was off the 49ers’ roster by 2022.

Barely enjoying his second 12 months, he caught on with the Indianapolis Colts the previous two years. That included a profession day towards Pittsburgh in 2023, dashing for 88 yards in a Colts’ win that noticed them run everywhere in the Steelers’ protection. In 2024, Sermon rushed for 156 yards and two dashing scores.

Pittsburgh’s backfield is crowded however Sermon’s expertise might win him a roster spot. The Steelers have additionally seemingly been excessive on him since his Ohio State days.

Hollis Mathis/WR William & Mary – Mathis brings loads of Steelers’ ties. A neighborhood native who attended Penn Hills, a Pittsburgh suburb, Mathis additionally went to Mike Tomlin’s faculty alma mater.

A real athlete, Mathis performed quarterback, operating again and receiver in faculty. He turned solely the second participant in faculty soccer historical past to hurry, throw and catch for over 1,000 yards in a profession, becoming a member of New Mexico’s Paul Dombrowski within the mid-2000s.

Mathis completed his profession as a receiver, hauling in 52 receptions for 602 yards and three touchdowns final 12 months for The Tribe. Lanky, he weighed in at 6013, 174 kilos at his Professional Day, operating a 4.59. His jumps, 36.5 inches within the vert and 10’10” within the broad, had been extra spectacular.

Montana Lemonious-Craig/WR Arizona – One other invite we didn’t know forward of time. An undrafted rookie, Lemonious-Craig spent three years at Colorado earlier than enjoying his ultimate two at Arizona. His manufacturing was persistently low-end, by no means having greater than 28 receptions or 359 yards in a season. In 2024, he caught simply 17 passes for 172 yards and one landing as Tetairoa McMillan dominated goal share.

Per Dane Brugler’s draft information, MLC weighed in at 6010, 189 kilos. He ran a 4.54 40 with a 35-inch vertical and 14 reps on the bench press.

Omarion Dollison/WR James Madison – Dollison started his profession at South Florida earlier than ending up at JMU. He had a profession 12 months in 2024, displaying big-play capability with a 17.1-yard common on 37 receptions. He ended the 12 months with 633 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Standing in at 5092, 186 kilos, he ran a 4.45 with a 37.5-inch vertical, 10’5″ broad soar, and 6.69 three cone. He has a stable athletic profile, however the receiver room may be too crowded for Dollison to crack.

Tommy Smith/TE Rhode Island – A jack-of-all-trades in faculty, Smith performed fullback, receiver and tight finish. Pittsburgh is itemizing him as a fullback. Smith’s offensive manufacturing was delicate till 2024, catching 27 passes for 413 yards and three touchdowns.

However Smith’s calling card was being a high quality particular teamer all through his faculty profession. He recorded 22 tackles at Rhode Island, together with 9 in his ultimate season. He was named first-team all-conference as a particular teamer. It’s exhausting to point out that resume in padless practices but it surely’s a singular a part of his resume.

At his Professional Day, he weighed in at 6030, 220 kilos with a 4.59 40 and spectacular 6.79 three-cone.

Thomas Perry/OL Middlebury – A buzzy identify who gained traction on the Shrine Bowl after being the primary Middlebury participant (positioned in Vermont) invited to the occasion, he earned the nickname “Thomas The Tank” for his spectacular weight room and play energy.

Perry lacks excellent measurement however has a terrific work ethic and has educated with OL guru Duke Manyweather. Perry hung out within the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie mincamp however went unsigned. There’s potential for Pittsburgh so as to add him to their offseason roster.

Try our scouting report right here.

Illm Manning/OT Hawaii – An undersized offensive lineman (6021, 294 kilos), Manning went undrafted in 2023 after spending 5 years as Hawaii’s left deal with. He’s spent two stints with the San Francisco 49ers together with time as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers.

Most not too long ago, Manning was with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions however acquired launched on March 10, about three weeks earlier than the league’s season started. He’s spent a while on a 53-man roster however has but to look in a daily season recreation. He’s primarily performed left deal with in preseason motion, although he’s additionally dabbled at guard.

Dom Serapiglia/OL Central Michigan – A neighborhood product from close by Thomas Jefferson Excessive Faculty, he started his profession at Tulsa earlier than transferring to Southeastern Louisiana and once more to CMU. He made 37 profession begins, beginning middle each step of the way in which. He additionally lengthy snapped in faculty. The extra you are able to do, the higher.

At 6012, 300 kilos with 30 3/4-inch arms, measurement is an apparent concern.

Keith Ismael/C (Veteran) – An NFL veteran, Ismael was chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft by Washington. He logged practically 400 snaps with the staff in 2021 and final appeared in a recreation in 2023 with the Arizona Cardinals, dressing for 13 video games however solely enjoying on the sphere objective shield staff.

Out of San Diego State, he weighed in at 6027, 309 kilos with 32 1/4-inch arms. Offensive line depth is pretty skinny, and Ismael has an opportunity to stay with a superb weekend displaying.

Gareth Warren/OT Lindenwood – Profiled by our Tom Mead throughout this 12 months’s Steelers Depot’s “small faculty week,” Warren has performed guard and deal with however is listed as a deal with by Pittsburgh.

He has plus measurement at 6051, 330 kilos and 33 5/8-inch arms. Our scouting report gave him a draftable grade with a comparability to Ramon Foster, who beat the chances to grow to be a long-term Steelers’ starter. Warren will attempt to do the identical. Deal with depth is weak, giving Warren a better-than-average likelihood.

Fred Stokes Jr./DL Prairie View A&M – There was a tiny breadcrumb of the Steelers’ curiosity in Stokes after snapping a Mix picture with DL Coach Karl Dunbar, one thing we famous in our Mix tracker.

In 2024, Stokes notched 11 tackles for loss with 3.5 sacks. He beforehand performed at Central Michigan however noticed restricted enjoying time. At 6055, 259 kilos, his measurement is attention-grabbing however his testing was below-average and his size (32 5/8-inches) is simply okay.

Nate Matlack/EDGE Pittsburgh – One among two Panthers in camp, Matlack examined nicely within the pre-draft course of and had regular faculty manufacturing. Transferring in from Kansas State (the place he was teammates with Will Howard), Matlack recorded eight tackles for a loss and 5 sacks final season.

He might need a leg up on different rookies, too. Matlack tried out with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs earlier this week, giving him an preliminary really feel for an NFL apply.

Bam Brima/LB Keiser – One other identify we didn’t learn about on the Steelers’ invite record. Keiser College, should you had been questioning like me, is a NAIA faculty in West Palm Seaside, Florida. However Pittsburgh is aware of him higher from his 2019-2023 time with the Pitt Panthers earlier than transferring.

In 2023, Brima recorded 31 tackles and three sacks. In 2024, he recorded 8.5 TFL and one other three sacks. He was named Second-Staff NAIA All-American.

Brima appears to be like the half at 6047, 263 kilos with 34-inch arms.

Debo Williams/LB South Carolina – One among three Gamecock’ linebackers popping out of this 12 months’s draft, Williams is a reputation to bear in mind. A two-time staff captain, he’s one season faraway from posting 113 tackles within the SEC. Final 12 months, Williams notched 63 tackles, 5 for a loss.

Undersized at 6003, 225 kilos, Williams turned in a poor 4.85 at his Professional Day. That 40 time put him within the tryout camp however he additionally posted 32 reps of 225 kilos throughout his exercise, displaying he’s hung out of time within the weight room throughout faculty.

Pittsburgh may not have inside linebacker spots for the taking however Williams is a reputation to notice. Plus, his identify is Debo. That’s gotta depend for one thing round these components.

Morice Blackwell Jr./LB Texas – Blackwell had mild faculty manufacturing, recording 65 tackles throughout 4 seasons with the Longhorns. In 2024, he tallied 30 tackles.

Working in his favor is a powerful particular groups background. Per PFF, Blackwell logged 285 third-team snaps in 2024 and performed throughout 5 phases. In 2022 and 2023, Blackwell performed a bit slot nook, too.

At his Professional Day, he weighed in at 6016, 216 kilos and ran a 4.59 40 with a 37-inch vertical, 10’9″ broad, and seven.00 three-cone time. Pittsburgh is itemizing him as a linebacker.

Eddie Faulkner IV/CB Slippery Rock – Son of Steelers’ operating backs coach Eddie Faulkner. Faulkner IV is an undersized however aggressive slot nook who had a powerful profession at D-II Slippery Rock. Attending Pitt’s Professional Day, Faulkner weighed in at 5075, 189 kilos with a 4.63 40-yard sprint. That isn’t probably the most encouraging profile, however Faulkner was a splash playmaker in faculty with 53 tackles (six for a loss), 4 pressured fumbles, and two interceptions in 2024 whereas serving as staff captain.

Mikey Victor/CB Alabama State – One of many names we didn’t know previous to the staff’s Friday launch of the minicamp roster. Undrafted in 2024, Victor hung out with the New England Patriots in 2024. He’s but to look in an NFL recreation.

We profiled Victor within the lead-up to the 2024 draft, noting his intriguing measurement (6023, 205 kilos, 33 1/2-inch arms) and stable faculty manufacturing (15 PDs in 2023), albeit at a decrease degree. However he confirmed stiffness on tape that may require a transfer to security. A 4.67 40-time solely furthered that concept. For what it’s value, Pittsburgh is itemizing him as a nook.

The Steelers introduced him in for a exercise in January so there’s been a continuing degree of curiosity.

Ridge Texada/CB North Texas – Profitable the “all-name” staff of the minicamp roster, Texada started his profession at McNeese State earlier than transferring as much as the FBS degree. He intercepted only one profession go however left faculty because the all-time chief in go breakups with 37.

Undersized at 5080, 186 kilos, he ran a powerful 4.42 40 at his Professional Day. Pittsburgh’s nickel place is unsettled, doubtlessly bettering Texada’s lengthy odds to stay as a minicamp invite.

Jayden Johnson/S Arkansas – Johnson spent 4 seasons with the Razorbacks, accumulating 178 profession tackles with two interceptions. In 2024, he recorded 57 tackles (3.5 TFL) and whereas the interception manufacturing wasn’t there, he broke up 11 passes. At his Professional Day, he weighed in at 6016, 203 kilos. Johnson ran a 4.68 40 with a 7.19 three cone. He’ll want to point out extra athleticism than these numbers recommend to be able to catch a contract.

PJ O’Brien/S Pitt – A neighborhood product, O’Brien was a part-time starter with the Panthers. Beginning three video games in 2023, he completed the 12 months with 33 tackles and an interception. An enormous-time highschool recruit, O’Brien’s finest 12 months got here in 2023 when he intercepted three passes, together with one off Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman.

O’Brien weighed in at 6001, 191 kilos at his Professional Day. He ran a decent 4.59 40.

Fraser Masin/P Ole Miss – An Aussie from Brisbane, Masin had a profession 12 months punting for the Rebels in 2024. He averaged 46.6-yards per try whereas carrying a formidable internet common, too. Masin punted for Ole Miss for 3 seasons.

One notable spotlight got here on a profitable 24-yard faux punt in 2023 towards Georgia. However with Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman on the 90-man roster, Masin’s odds of being signed are among the many lowest of the tryouts.

Donato Crisanti/LS Rhode Island – One among two lengthy snappers in Steelers’ minicamp this weekend, Crisanti has plus measurement for the place at a listed 6’5, 240 kilos. He served as the college’s beginning snapper the previous 5 seasons and was invited to this 12 months’s Hula Bowl.

He earned an invitation to the New York Jets’ camp however with each occasions occurring this weekend, it seems Crisanti selected Pittsburgh. There are first rate odds the Steelers signal one in all these two snappers.

Taybor Pepper/LS (Veteran) – Probably the most-veteran participant in rookie minicamp, the 30-year-old Pepper spent the previous 5 years because the San Francisco 49ers’ lengthy snapper. He beforehand hung out with Inexperienced Bay and Miami.

Pittsburgh tried to signal West Virginia LS Austin Brinkman post-draft however he took a a lot bigger cope with the Houston Texans. The very fact the Steelers introduced in two snappers to minicamp once they solely wanted one signifies they’re severe about signing one in all them. Pepper’s expertise provides him a transparent leg up.