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Steelers Give Tryout to Former Thomas Jefferson Center
The Pittsburgh Steelers have invited Central Michigan center and Thomas Jefferson native Dominic Serapiglia to the club’s rookie minicamp, the school announced on Monday.
Serapiglia, 24, spent two seasons with the Chippewas, both as the starter at center, during which he started all 24 games and was a two-time All-MAC honoree. In 2024, was nominated for the William V. Campbell trophy, also known as the academic Heisman, and the Burlsworth Trophy for the nation’s best former walk-on.
Before his two seasons in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Serapiglia played for two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana. He played mostly left guard in his redshirt freshman season in 2021, before moving to center in 2022 and taking over the starting role, after which he was named All-Southland Conference. Serapiglia also served as the team’s long snapper.
Serapiglia initially committed to Tulsa as a walk-on and redshirted in 2019. He transferred to Southeastern Louisiana in 2020.
Serapiglia was a two-time all-state performer at Thomas Jefferson High School, helping the Jaguars win three WPIAL Class-4A titles in his four years at the school. TJ went 11-1 in Serapiglia’s senior season in 2018.
The Steelers will invite a number of players to tryouts for their three-day rookie minicamp, which will be held the second weekend of May at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
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.
Serapiglia will be looking to crack a relatively thin group of reserve offensive linemen at center behind starter Zach Frazier and backup Ryan McCollum.
With the Steelers, Serapiglia will join his college teammate, Steelers seventh-round draft pick cornerback Donte Kent.
Serapiglia is the fifth 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 and New Hampshire quarterback Seth Morgan.