This week saw Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan reportedly make their way to the Texas Longhorns’ Pro Day. Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline highlighted their presence among a slew of decision-makers converging to assess numerous top prospects.
Oddly enough, neither Tomlin nor Khan was visibly present during the event’s extensive three-hour broadcast on the SEC Network. Plus, there was no mention of their attendance by reporters on the ground. Given Tomlin’s usual high-profile persona, often taking a front-and-center spot during drills, this seems like one of his most discreet Pro Day visits.
Pauline mentioned that teams swiftly moved from Austin to Columbus afterward to attend Ohio State’s Pro Day. This raises the possibility that Tomlin and Khan may have skipped the workout itself, perhaps favoring an informal dinner setting to evaluate prospects’ personalities—an often crucial aspect of their scouting process. Meanwhile, South area scout Chris Watts was seen at the workout. Earlier, Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith were present at Notre Dame’s Pro Day the previous Thursday.
The Steelers reportedly held discussions with four candidates the night prior, notably including QB Quinn Ewers. Others in the lineup were DL Vernon Broughton, S Andrew Mukuba, and CB Jahdae Barron. Their prior formal Combine interview with Ewers signals a thorough scouting effort ahead of next month’s draft.
A high-profile recruit fresh out of high school, Ewers launched his college career at Ohio State before transferring to Texas. As a three-year starter, he amassed over 9,100 passing yards and threw 68 touchdowns against 24 interceptions, steering his team towards a promising playoff journey in 2024.
He’s currently vying with the likes of Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, Ohio State’s Will Howard, and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord for a potential Day Two selection in the upcoming draft.
Our evaluation of Ewers applauded his swift release and sharp footwork while raising concerns about his arm strength and consistency under pressure. Here’s how we summed it up:
“Ewers requires substantial growth as a pocket passer to advance into a competent second-string quarterback in the NFL. His confidence and accuracy in mid-field passing are commendable, yet he must refine his accuracy for throws outside the numbers and enhance his physical frame, focusing on his lower body in particular. His current style under pressure won’t cut it in the NFL; he must learn to stay put and progress through reads in a classic drop-back scenario. His limited athleticism and average arm strength challenge his ability to spread the field. My comparable player for him would be Drew Lock.”
We rated Ewers as a potential fifth-round pick, though Mock Draft Database suggests he might go in the third round, based on various mock drafts.
Besides Ewers, Texas boasts a solid pool of draft-worthy talent. Wide receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond make a formidable pair. Golden is a potential first-rounder who shone during the playoffs. In contrast, Bond faced challenges in 2024 yet showed strong performance in 2023 with Alabama, accumulating 48 receptions close to 700 yards.
Then there are defensive linemen Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton, who might catch the Steelers’ interest. Standing tall at 6’5.5″ and weighing 332 pounds, Collins presents an imposing challenge, despite modest production over five seasons. Broughton excels in run defense, though his pass-rushing skills invite questions; however, he did manage to record four sacks in 2024.
Further in the lineup, OT Kelvin Banks Jr. and CB Jahdae Barron are likely candidates for the first round. While Banks might not be on Pittsburgh’s radar, Barron, an All-American with remarkable athleticism, captured interest after clocking a 4.39 at the Combine.
Other intriguing names include OT Cameron Williams and S Andrew Mukuba. TE Gunnar Helm and C Jake Majors are potential Day Three draftees, with Helm aiming to bounce back from a lackluster Combine performance due to an ankle twist. Lastly, RB Jaydon Blue stands out as a prospective Day Three highlight with his explosive sub-4.4 speed.
For further insights, check out detailed reports on all Longhorns’ prospects we’ve evaluated.
