NFL · 1 week ago

In-Depth Steelers Rookie Camp Preview

Bo Marchionte

Host · Writer

In Depth Steelers Rookie Mimi Camp Report
Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma
- Height: 6’1
- Weight: 205
- Age: 22
- Draft Entry: 7th Round, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Spears-Jennings, NFL Combine likely plays a significant role in the Steelers’ decisions to use the 224^th overall pick on him. Running in low 4.3s (4.32) with a vertical jump of 35” and a broad jump of 10’5”, he brings elite athleticism to the safety position. He also totaled over 100 tackles across multiple seasons, highlighting his involvement near the line of scrimmage. That combination of tackling volume and takeaway ability points to a safety who can contribute in both phases.

Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa
- Height: 5’9
- Weight: 193
- Age: 24
- Draft Entry: 4th Round, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Make no mistake about it, Wetjen is a return specialist first and foremost. Wetjen arrives as one of the most decorated return specialists in college football. He was a back-to-back Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year (2024, 2025) and won the Jet Award twice, given to the nation’s top returner. What jumps on tape matches the production he’s decisive, gets vertical immediately, and has a natural feel for setting up blocks. Wetjen doesn’t dance he hits creases with conviction and has proven he can flip field position or score any time he touches it. His return ability alone gives him a legitimate path to early impact.

For more exclusive NFL Draft coverage, scouting reports, and interviews, visit College2Pro.com⁠

Follow on X: @BoMarchionte
In Depth Steelers Rookie Mimi Camp Report
The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp begins May 8, and while it’s traditionally a low-key introduction for first-year players, this year arrives with far more attention than usual.

Third-round quarterback Drew Allar is expected to be the focal point of the weekend, a notable shift for a player selected outside the first two rounds. But his presence and the curiosity surrounding how quickly he can acclimate comes against the backdrop of an unresolved situation that continues to hover over the organization.

The pending decision involving Aaron Rodgers still lingers, creating a layer of uncertainty that stretches beyond the practice field and into the broader outlook of the franchise. It’s a storyline that has not gone unnoticed by a fan base already growing restless.

Rookie minicamp generally includes between 45 and 60 participants over the three-day session, combining draft picks, undrafted free agents and tryout players, some of whom arrive with previous NFL experience each looking to establish an early foothold.

As of now, 16 players listed on the Steelers’ official roster page do not yet have jersey numbers assigned, a typical early-May detail as the team prepares to bring in its full rookie class.

The following pages highlight those players.
In Depth Steelers Rookie Mimi Camp Report
Players Listed Alphabetically

Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
- Draft Entry: 3rd Round, 2026
- Height: 6’5
- Weight: 228
- Age: 22
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Appearing in only six games in 2025 after injuring his left ankle, he highlighted a horrific collapse at Penn State. Tony Franklin was dismissed and Allar was left to take on the majority of negativity around the program. However, if you see his tape, you see very scrappy competitor under center. With prototype size with a live arm that can challenge every quadrant of the field, but the intrigue lies in his willingness to stand in versus pressure and deliver. His tape shows flashes of layered throws between zone defenders, though the ball placement can drift when his base narrows. One underrated element was Penn State leaned on him to control tempo and protections at the line, giving him more operational responsibility than most college passers in that system.

Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
- Draft Entry: 2nd Round, 2026
- Height: 6’1
- Weight: 206
- Age: 22
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Led Alabama in receptions (64), receiving yards (862) and touchdown catches (7). That’s important considering current Crimson Tide receiver Ryan Williams is a projected first-round pick in 2027. Bernard is a smooth separator who wins with pacing rather than pure explosion. He understands how to manipulate leverage at the top of routes and consistently finds soft spots versus zone. What stands out is his production against top-tier SEC corners he didn’t disappear in big moments, and his ability to adjust mid-route gives quarterbacks a reliable outlet when plays break down.
In Depth Steelers Rookie Mimi Camp Report
Daylen Everette, DB, Georgia
- Height: 6’1
- Weight: 196
- Age: 21
- Draft Entry: 3rd Round, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Leading the Bulldogs, in passes defended (10), Everette comes from a defense loaded with NFL talent, and he held his own in that environment. He’s comfortable playing press with length to disrupt releases, and his recovery speed allows him to stay in phase. The interesting piece is his growth year over year Georgia’s staff leaned on him more as his confidence developed, suggesting there’s still untapped upside.

Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
- Height: 6’0
- Weight: 198
- Age: 22
- Draft Entry: 7th Round, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Played three years at Navy and brings true dual-threat ability out of the backfield. Finishing with 1,115 rushing yards and 1,994 receiving yards, Heidenreich should be one of the more exciting prospects to watch this spring leading into summer. Coming out of Navy’s option-heavy system, but the traits are there. His vision, balance, and a willingness to finish runs. He shows good feel navigating tight creases and doesn’t go down on first contact easily. His transition will depend on pass protection and route development; two areas service academy backs often have limited exposure to.

Brock Hoffman, OL, Virginia Tech
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 302
- Age: 26
- Draft Entry: Undrafted, 2022
- NFL Experience: 3 years
Hoffman brings a blue-collar approach with real positional versatility across the interior. He’s logged meaningful snaps in multiple systems and has shown he can survive against NFL-caliber interior rushers. What helps his case is his mentality he plays with an edge and doesn’t shy away from contact, traits coaches tend to value in depth linemen.
In Depth Steelers Rookie Mimi Camp Report
Travis Homer, RB, Miami (FL)
- Height: 5’10
- Weight: 202
- Age: 27
- Draft Entry: 6th Round, 2019
- NFL Experience: 7 years
Homer’s value is well-defined at this stage core special teams contributor with reliable third-down ability. He’s a disciplined pass protector and understands spacing in the short passing game. That role has kept him around the league, and his experience could provide stability in a young running back room during camp.

Kevin Jobity Jr., DL, Syracuse
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 300
- Age: N/A
- Draft Entry: Undrafted, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Truly a sleeper prospect, who has faced shorten seasons due to injuries at Syracuse. Playing in just 38 games, he finished with 20.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He is a disruptor and chaos creator. For being an undrafted free agent, he could find himself earning his keep in the regular season. Jobity has the frame teams look for inside, with flashes of power at the point of attack. Syracuse rotated him along the interior, allowing him to show both gap control and occasional penetration ability. The next step is refining his hand usage when he wins first contact, he can collapse the pocket, but that needs to become more consistent.

Laith Marjan, K, Kansas
- Height: 6’2
- Weight: 202
- Age: N/A
- Draft Entry: Undrafted
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Played in all 12 games for the Jayhawks, converted 14-of-17 field goals on the season and 40-of-40 on extra points. Consistent touchback power, Marjan enters as a specialist with intriguing leg strength. Kansas relied on him in pressure situations, and he showed the ability to hit from distance. For kickers, consistency is everything if he can tighten his operation time and maintain accuracy under stress, he’ll have a chance to stick.
In Depth Steelers Rookie Mimi Camp Report
Lake McRee, TE, USC
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 243
- Age: N/A
- Draft Entry: Undrafted, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
A bit of a breakout season, in 2025, for McRee who finished with 30 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns. His career totals are 97 receptions, 1,154 yards and seven touchdowns, provided the proof he became a true contributor for the Trojans offense last season. McRee offers a balanced profile as a move tight end who can contribute in both phases. USC used him in space, where he showed the ability to run after the catch and create mismatches. He’s not a finished inline blocker yet, but his effort and athleticism suggest he can develop into a useful rotational piece.

Riley Nowakowski, FB, Indiana
- Height: 6’2
- Weight: 250
- Age: 23
- Draft Entry: 5th Round, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Spent his first two of his five season at Wisconsin at linebacker, Nowakowski came alive in 2025 with this transfer to Indiana. Playing in 39 games with the Badgers he produced 18 catches for 131 yards and one touchdown over five seasons in Madison. In his lone year with the Hoosiers, he finished with 32 catches for 387 yards and two touchdowns. Nowakowski brings old-school physicality to a position that still has value in specific packages. Indiana used him as a lead blocker and occasional short-yardage option, and he embraces the contact aspect of the game. His path will likely be tied to special teams and situational offense, where his toughness and reliability can carve out a role.

Gabe Rubio, DL, Notre Dame
- Height: 6’5
- Weight: 321
- Age: 22
- Draft Entry: 6th Round, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Rubio appeared in 30+ games during his time at Notre Dame, primarily working in a rotational role along the interior defensive line. He finished his career with under 30 total tackles, which reinforces his profile as more of a space-occupying presence than a stat-sheet producer. His value showed up in Notre Dame’s ability to stay firm inside, eating double teams and keeping the second level clean.
In Depth Steelers Rookie Mimi Camp Report
Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma
- Height: 6’1
- Weight: 205
- Age: 22
- Draft Entry: 7th Round, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Spears-Jennings, NFL Combine likely plays a significant role in the Steelers’ decisions to use the 224^th overall pick on him. Running in low 4.3s (4.32) with a vertical jump of 35” and a broad jump of 10’5”, he brings elite athleticism to the safety position. He also totaled over 100 tackles across multiple seasons, highlighting his involvement near the line of scrimmage. That combination of tackling volume and takeaway ability points to a safety who can contribute in both phases.

Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa
- Height: 5’9
- Weight: 193
- Age: 24
- Draft Entry: 4th Round, 2026
- NFL Experience: Rookie
Make no mistake about it, Wetjen is a return specialist first and foremost. Wetjen arrives as one of the most decorated return specialists in college football. He was a back-to-back Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year (2024, 2025) and won the Jet Award twice, given to the nation’s top returner. What jumps on tape matches the production he’s decisive, gets vertical immediately, and has a natural feel for setting up blocks. Wetjen doesn’t dance he hits creases with conviction and has proven he can flip field position or score any time he touches it. His return ability alone gives him a legitimate path to early impact.

For more exclusive NFL Draft coverage, scouting reports, and interviews, visit College2Pro.com⁠

Follow on X: @BoMarchionte
In Depth Steelers Rookie Mimi Camp Report
The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp begins May 8, and while it’s traditionally a low-key introduction for first-year players, this year arrives with far more attention than usual.

Third-round quarterback Drew Allar is expected to be the focal point of the weekend, a notable shift for a player selected outside the first two rounds. But his presence and the curiosity surrounding how quickly he can acclimate comes against the backdrop of an unresolved situation that continues to hover over the organization.

The pending decision involving Aaron Rodgers still lingers, creating a layer of uncertainty that stretches beyond the practice field and into the broader outlook of the franchise. It’s a storyline that has not gone unnoticed by a fan base already growing restless.

Rookie minicamp generally includes between 45 and 60 participants over the three-day session, combining draft picks, undrafted free agents and tryout players, some of whom arrive with previous NFL experience each looking to establish an early foothold.

As of now, 16 players listed on the Steelers’ official roster page do not yet have jersey numbers assigned, a typical early-May detail as the team prepares to bring in its full rookie class.

The following pages highlight those players.

‌

In-Depth Steelers Rookie Camp Preview

Players Listed Alphabetically

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES

EDITOR'S PICKS

For the Best of SportsGrid, Grab the App

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES