Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have invited South Carolina linebacker Debo Williams to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, according to a report by Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV in Houston.
A native of Smyrna, Del., Williams spent his first collegiate season redshirting at Delaware in 2020 before transferring to South Carolina for four seasons starting 2021. He was an immediate performer on special teams, blocking two punts as a redshirt freshman.
Williams earned a rotational role and two starts in 2022, before becoming a full-time starter and team captain in 2023. That season was his best statistically. In 12 games, he racked up a team-high 113 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and one sack. He was a first-team All-SEC selection.
As a redshirt senior in 2024, Williams saw a slightly reduced role, playing 589 snaps after being on the field for 779 plays the year before.
Despite his high level of collegiate production, Williams did not test will in the pre-draft process. Undersized at 6-foot 3/8, 225 pounds, he ran a 4.85-second 40-yard dash, 4.44-second short shuttle, 7.71-second three-cone and posted a 31.5-inch vertical and 9-foot-4 broad jump for an overall 2.85 Relative Athletic Score out of 10. His only above average metric was a very strong 32 reps on the bench press.
At the next level, Williams projects to be a special teams contributor first and foremost, and could also be a special teams contributor. The Steelers already have several players that fit that mold, including Mark Robinson and seventh-round 2025 NFL Draft pick Carson Bruener, so Williams will have to make a big impact during his tryout to earn a spot.
Over the last few seasons, the Steelers have typically signed one or two players to contracts from rookie camp invitees. Among the team’s rookie camp tryout successes have been quarterback Devlin Hodges in 2019. Last year, vets Anthony Averett and Jonathan Ward made the team after trying out at rookie camp.
Williams is the eight player to be revealed as a tryout, joining Pitt outside linebacker Nate Matlack, Rhode Island RB/WR Tommy Smith, William & Mary QB/WR Hollis Mathis, New Hampshire quarterback Seth Morgan, Central Michigan center Dom Serapiglia, James Madison wide receiver Omarion Dollison and Notre Dame special teamer Max Hurleman.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers to Bring Run-Punishing Linebacker to Rookie Camp
