All 91 is a Pittsburgh Steelers Now series profiling each of the 91 members of the Steelers 2019 training camp roster.
33 • Jermaine Ponder, rookie defensive back
Last year: A St. Francis alum, Ponder originally signed with the Cleveland Browns, but joined the Steelers on Aug. 6 after Derrek Thomas was waived/injured. Ponder played in all 11 games with St. Francis as a senior.
Stats: Made 25 tackles, one for a loss, had two sacks, one interception and broke up 15 passes.
Accolades, Highlights:
Camp outlook: Ponder played cornerback at St. Francis, but the Steelers are listing him as a general defensive back. With a number of injuries in the secondary, especially at safety, where starting free safety Sean Davis has missed most of camp, where Ponder fits is nearly as important to his outlook as how he plays.
Projected role: Tough to say until he gets more reps, but Ponder could battle to be the third slot corner behind Mike Hilton and Cameron Sutton, or the fourth free safety behind Davis, Kameron Kelly and Marcus Allen. Either of those would probably figure him in for a practice squad spot.
The rest of the 91:
