Former Ohio State RB Trey Sermon Among Vets to Try Out at Steelers Rookie Minicamp
Former Ohio State running back Trey Sermon is among five veterans invited to try out at Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are kicking off their 2025 rookie minicamp on Friday. 45 players are set to take the practice field, including five veterans who are looking to get another shot in the NFL.
Among the veterans invited to try out for the Steelers are running back Trey Sermon, offensive tackle Ilm Manning, center Keith Ismael, cornerback Mikey Victor and long snapper Taybor Pepper.
Sermon, 26, was a third-round pick (No. 88 overall) out of Ohio State by the San Fransisco 49ers in 2021. He entered his rookie season as the third-string running back behind Raheem Mostert and fellow rookie Elijah Mitchell.
That, of course, led to a disappointing rookie campaign. Sermon only rushed for 167 yards and one touchdown before suffering an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve in Week 12.
Sermon was released by the 49ers in 2022 and was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles.
He was then waived/injured by the Eagles in 2023 but signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts shortly after. Not long after, Sermon earned himself a spot on the active roster.
Over the past two seasons, he has rushed for 319 yards and two touchdowns with the Colts.
The Steelers reportedly “loved” Sermon coming out of Ohio State in 2021. They will now get an up-close look at him a few years later.
Manning, 25, was an undrafted free agent out of Hawaii in 2023. He was originally signed by the San Francisco 49ers but has also since spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks and UFL’s Birmingham Stallions.
During Manning’s final year at Hawaii, he started all 13 games and was named a first-team all-conference selection. He finished his collegiate career having played in 62 out of 64 possible games, all at tackle.
Ismael, 26, was a fifth-round pick (No. 156 overall) out of San Diego State by the Washington Football Team/Commanders in 2020. He spent the first two years of his NFL career in Washington before being released with an injury settlement in 2022.
Ismael then spent time on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad from 2022-23 before being claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals with whom he played in 13 games for in 2023. He was released in December of 2024.
Victor was an undrafted free agent out of Alabama State in 2024. He spent time with the New England Patriots in training camp before being waived in August.
He’s the younger brother of former NFL linebacker Azeem Victor, who played for the Las Vegas Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks.
Pepper, 30, was an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State in 2016. He was not signed by a team during the 2016 season but eventually joined the Green Bay Packers in 2017.
He then bounced around to the Baltimore Ravens, back to the Packers, New York Giants and Miami Dolphins before finding security with the San Francisco 49ers.
Pepper signed a three-year contract extension with the 49ers in 2023 but was released in March after the team signed long snapper Jon Weeks.