The Pittsburgh Steelers met with a pair of Big Ten linebackers in the 2025 NFL Draft class at the Hula Bowl last week, according to reports by Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network.
The Steelers had meetings with Wisconsin linebacker Jaheim Thomas and Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson at the Hula Bowl, which is the third-tier college all-star game.
Jackson is a 6-foot 5/8, 233-pound linebacker who spent six seasons in college. Jackson was at Virginia for four seasons before transferring to Iowa for his final two years. His 547 career tackles are the second-most in NCAA history.
Jackson appeared in 14 games as a true freshman at Virginia in 2019, and then became a starter and a second-team All-ACC pick as a sophomore in 2020. He was a three-time All-ACC selection with the Cavaliers before transferring to Iowa in 2023, when he was selected All-Big Ten in two more seasons. He had 100 tackles in four straight seasons from 2020-23.
Thomas was a five-year collegiate player that bounced from Cincinnati to Arkansas to Wisconsin. The 6-foot-2, 224-pound linebacker redshirted as a true freshman in 2020 and then played as a reserve in 2021 for Cincinnati before breaking into the starting lineup in 2022.
Thomas then transferred to Arkansas in 2023 and Wisconsin in 2024, starting at both stops. His best statistical performance was with the Razorbacks, when he recorded 90 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two passes defended.
The Steelers have long had a love affair with Wisconsin defenders, with Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig, Isaiahh Loudermilk and T.J. Watt all on their current roster.
The team has two free agents at the linebacker position entering the 2025 season, as both run-stuffing veteran Elandon Roberts and special teamer Tyler Matakevich will become free agents in March. Cole Holcomb, who did not play in the 2024 season after a major knee injury in 2023, could be a potential salary cap casualty. Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and Mark Robinson all remain under contract and the Steelers re-signed practice squad linebacker Devin Harper for 2025 on Tuesday.