Pittsburgh Steelers:

“Future Stars: 5 Must-Watch NFL Draft Prospects for Steelers Fans This Weekend!”

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We’re heading into the home stretch of the college football regular season. We’ll get a chance at an extended look at some prospects as their teams compete in the college football playoffs. But for many prospects, this is the fourth quarter of their season. One month and potentially a bowl game — if they play — is all they have left to make their case on the field.

Since I’m just filling in this week, I don’t have any priors to update on. I’m going to keep up with Mike Nicastro’s inclusion of at least one wide receiver each week and I think you’ll enjoy this week’s prospect.

But if I’m here for only one week, I’m going to make it count. That’s right folks, I’m the captain now. Get ready for some big boys in the trenches. You know why I’m here.

Here are five players to keep an eye on this weekend:

Donovan Jackson, Guard, Ohio State — at Penn State, 12:00 PM EST on Fox

Ohio State v Oregon

Football is won in the trenches. One of the maxims I live by is you can never have enough linemen. Just because the Steelers invested multiple picks towards the offensive line in the 2024 draft, doesn’t mean the work is done. Pittsburgh did not pursue an extension with James Daniels prior to this season and any chance at working out a new contract took a major hit when Daniels unfortunately tore his Achilles in September. Isaac Seumalo could find himself in a similar situation next summer.

Enter Donovan Jackson. Jackson is a blue chipper, a thorobred, a HOSS. At the high school level he was an All-American and a five-star recruit that was ranked as the 7th best player in the nation, regardless of position, by 247Sports in 2021. Listed as 6-4, 320 pounds, the senior has already amassed a decorated college career with two first-team All-Big Ten honors and on the shortlist for the Outland Trophy at season’s end.

Jackson is a mauler in the run game. He has the mobility and violent streak that could make him elite at pulling at the next level. In the passing game, he’s allowed just three sacks and four qb hurries in three years of playing time per PFF.

T.J. Sanders, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina — vs Texas A&M, 7:30 PM EST on ABC

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 05 South Carolina at Vanderbilt

Sticking in the trenches, the Steelers’ defensive line is one of the team’s greatest strengths at the moment. Things change quickly in the NFL though. Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi have been playing some of their best ball in years, but neither is a spring chicken. The Steelers would be wise to continue to add young pieces — like they did with Keanu Benton.

One player who I think matches perfectly with what the Steelers look for is South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders. I expect Sanders to have some intriguing measurables at the NFL Scouting Combine once he declares. Right now his best traits are his explosive first step and his long arms. Listed as 6’4 and 290 pounds, Sanders has the size the Steelers tend to like in their interior linemen.

Sanders had five sacks in 2023 and has two so far this season. Sanders also has shown flashes of his potential as a run defender. Texas A&M’s running back Le’Veon Moss has been having a great junior season — and is another prospect to watch for, as is junior guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams — and should offer a fun matchup.

Tacario Davis, Cornerback, Arizona — at UCF, 3:30 PM EST on FS1

Colorado v Arizona

Cornerback is another position the Steelers should continue to invest in. There’s no certainty Donte Jackson will return in 2025 and as much as we’re all rooting for Corey Trice Jr, he’s already missed a significant part of his earlier career to injury.

Some of my early favorites are Texas senior Jahdae Barron, Kansas senior Cobee Bryant and Eastern Carolina University senior Shavon Revel. None of them play this week — and Revel has been out with a season-ending knee injury — but Arizona’s Tacario Davis is another prospect worth familiarizing yourself with. Davis has been listed as 6’4 and 190 pounds, and would give the Steelers another tall, long-limbed corner with press capabilities to place into their system. Davis was recently named a Jim Thorpe award semifinalist.

 

Mike highlighted UCF’s Kobe Hudson earlier this season and he and Davis should provide a fun matchup for us to keep tabs on.

Kaleb Johnson, Halfback, Iowa — at Wisconsin, 7:30 PM EST on NBC

Northwestern v Iowa

Another position where the Steeles could see a changing of the guard after the season.

This season Ashton Jeanty has been THE running back in college football. But the number two rusher in college football? That just so happens to be Kaleb Johnson, a young man who already looks good in the black and gold.

Listed at 6’0 and 225 pounds, Johnson is an intriguing blend of size and speed, having hit 22 mph in a game this season. Through September he led the country in yards after contact before Jeanty’s takeover reached full force.

If the Steelers and Najee Harris don’t agree to a new deal after this season, could Johnson become Pittsburgh’s new hammer?

Tre Harris, Wide Receiver, Mississippi — at Arkansas, 12:00 PM on ESPN

Kentucky v Ole Miss

Standing 6’3 and 210 pounds, Harris’ playstyle — at least the parts we like — reminds me a lot of George Pickens.

He has the insane circus catches.

He can turn any touch into an explosive play.

He’s a vertical threat.

He can make defenders miss in tight spaces.

And he has a knack for making contested catches he has no business coming away with.

Harris’ 987 receiving yards are just eight yards off the national lead. With a strong final month, he could be the 2024 Biletnikoff winner. Pairing him and Pickens would electric.

 

 

 

 

 

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