Steelers Invite Explosive FCS Wide Receiver to Rookie Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers have invited a second player from the Ferris State Bulldogs to their rookie minicamp next, week the school announced on Monday.

Wide receiver Xavier Wade is the latest player to join the Steelers for rookie minicamp, following fellow Ferris State alum, cornerback Shon Stephens.

The 6-foot 1/4, 192-pound Wade played 11 games for the Bulldogs last season, and broke out statistically, hauling in 42 passes for 855 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wade missed most of the 2022 season with a torn labrum.

Like Stephens, Wade worked out at the Michigan State pro day, where he ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, a 4.32-second shuttle, a 7.07-second three-cone drill, a 10-foot-4 broad jump and a 38.5-inch vertical. He posted a 6.82 Relative Athletic Score out of 10. Both of his explosive numbers were high, with his vertical rating a 9,07 out of 10.

Players that are invited to rookie minicamp will come to Pittsburgh on a tryout basis for two or three practices. The Steelers usually have a two-practice session on the Friday and Saturday that are two weeks after the first round of the NFL Draft, which this year falls on May 10-11.

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

The Steelers are still searching for wide receivers on the free agent and trade market, but they’ll be casting a wide net a their rookie camp, looking for diamonds in the rough. Outside of third-round pick Roman Wilson, the Steelers did not add another wide receiver to their roster over the draft weekend, so there is plenty of room for a tryout to earn a roster spot.