Steelers Invite Central Michigan DT to Rookie Minicamp

The Pittsburgh Steelers are inviting Central Michigan defensive tackle Jacques Bristol to their rookie minicamp next week, according to his agency. Bristol joins several invites next week who are hoping to make the Steelers 90-man roster. They currently have four open roster spots.

Excited to announce that Jacques Bristol @Floridaboy_6, DT, @CMU_Football accepted an invitation to attend the @Steelers Rookie Mini Camp! 👏🏽#FireUpChips x #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/nL9Cy6qOwN

— CHES Agency | NFL Agent (@ChesAgency) May 3, 2024

Bristol was a Second-Team All-MAC selection in 2023, racking up four sacks and eight tackles for loss over 12 games for the Chippewas. A native of Sarasota, Florida, Bristol spent his entire career with Central Michigan, with 2023 being his breakout campaign as a graduate student.

Bristol was described by his coaches as a ‘dynamic’ pass rusher, and despite his size, he plays with an edge that allows him to get consistent pressure. And by undersized, he is under 6-feet tall. At Central Michigan’s pro day, he measured in at 5-foot-11 2/8 and 284 pounds. So, his frame is rare for the position, even in the modern NFL when more undersized defensive tackles are becoming more accepted.

He ran a 5.02 40-yard dash, had a 1.81 10-yard split, and put up 21 reps on the bench on that pro day. Now, he will hope to break the mold and push for a roster spot for the Steelers.

Rookie minicamp is always the next step in the process for the Steelers. Over a few days in early May, the Steelers will host players to compete for open roster spots.

In addition to tryouts, first-year players and drafted and undrafted rookies can participate. Last year, the Steelers signed running back Alfonzo Graham from Morgan State and outside linebacker Toby Ndukwe from Sam Houston State out of their rookie minicamp tryout class.

Rookie minicamp will take place in a week, spanning the weekend from May 10th through May 12th. Shortly after that, the team will begin to get into more serious team activities.