2025 NFL Draft: Steelers Scout Star Iowa RB for Second Time

The Pittsburgh Steelers are scouting Iowa and top 2025 NFL Draft running back prospect Kaleb Johnson for a second time this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft Prospect Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa Athletics

The Pittsburgh Steelers are circling back for a second look at a pair of highly rated Iowa playmakers in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Steelers have a scout in attendance for Friday night’s game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl, the second time the Steelers have scouted Iowa in-person this college football season.

The top prizes to scout in the game are all on Iowa, with three players expected to be taken in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Tight end Luke Lachey, running back Kaleb Johnson and safety Sebastian Castro have all been projected as top-100 prospects at one point on the NFL Mock Draft Database big board, though they are currently ranked 113, 116 and 117.

Johnson most obviously fits the Steelers needs, with starting running back Najee Harris set to his free agency in March and backup Jaylen Warren a restricted free agent.

The 6-foot, 225-pound Johnson leads the Big Ten with 1,279 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on the season.

Lachey is one of the top tight end prospects in the country, though with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington under contract for foreseeable future, that does not seem to be a particular need for the Steelers.

The Steelers have hit the top running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft class hard, scouting eight of the top 10 prospects in person so far this season. They previously scouted Iowa in Week 5, when the Hawkeyes faced Ohio State. They’ve scouted the Buckeyes four times so far this season, with top running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.

Keeping in mind that scouts are almost never at a game just to see one player, and that the Steelers have undoubtedly been to many more games than have been publicly reported, here’s the prospects they’ve seen through nine weeks of the 2024 college football season:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 10 SCOUT REPORT

Iowa-UCLA

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

113 TE Luke Lachey, Iowa
116 RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
117 S Sebastian Castro, Iowa

Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft Tetairoa McMillan

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 9 SCOUT REPORT

Ohio State-Penn Stated
Arizona-UCF
Oregon-Michigan

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

4 DL Mason Graham, Michigan
5 CB Will Johnson, Michigan
7 WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
9 EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
19 DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan
23 WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
25 TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
31 EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
33 IOL Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
35 CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
36 DL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
38 EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
40 CB Tacario Davis, Arizona
41 OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
42 QB Drew Allar, Penn State
47 DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon
48 S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
50 RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
51 TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
52 IOL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
56 WR Evan Stewart, Oregon
58 OT Josh Cornerly, Jr., Oregon
75 S Rod Moore, Michigan
76 CB Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon
81 DL Jordan Burch, Oregon
82 EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
85 CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
93 EDGE Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
101 RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
109 RB Nick Singleton, Penn State
119 WR Tez Johnson, Oregon
134 OT Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
150 TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon

Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft Quinshon Judkins Ohio State

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 8 SCOUT REPORT

Syracuse-Pitt
Nebraska-Ohio State

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

23 WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
31 EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
35 CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
36 DL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
38 EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
41 OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
50 RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
52 IOL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
85 CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
101 RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Georgia Carson Beck

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 7 SCOUT REPORT

Texas-Georgia
Utah-TCU
USC-Maryland
Oklahoma State-BYU

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

8 OT Kelvin Banks, Texas
12 EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
15 S Malaki Starks, Georgia
17 QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
18 QB Carson Beck, Georgia
22 WR Isaiah Bond, Texas
27 LB Jason Walker, Georgia
30 OT Cameron Williams, Texas
57 IOL Tate Ratledge, Georgia
66 CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
71 CB Daylen Everette, Georgia
73 RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
78 OT Earnest Greene, Georgia
89 WR Kaden Prather, Maryland
92 TE Gannar Helm, Texas
96 S Kamari Ramsey, USC
99 DL Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia
105 LB Lander Barton, Utah
121 IOL Jonah Monheim, USC
122 WR Savion Williams, TCU
125 LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
131 S Andrew Mukuba, Texas
136 WR Tai Felton, Maryland
156 DL Jordan Phillips, Maryland
187 QB Miller Moss, USC

Penn State Abdul Carter

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 6 SCOUT REPORT

Ohio State-Oregon
Penn State-USC
Iowa-Washington
Maryland-Northwestern

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

15 EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
25 WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
30 CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
33 EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
34 OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
37 DL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
40 RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
43 EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
45 S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
48 IOL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
53 WR Evan Stewart, Oregon
64 TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
66 OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
70 QB Drew Allar, Penn State
72 DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon
75 TE Luke Lachey, Iowa
77 RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
80 OT Jonah Monheim, USC
86 WR Kaden Prather, Maryland
87 EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
91 WR Tai Felton, Maryland
98 Davison Igbinosun, CB Ohio State
99 S Kamari Ramsey, USC
100 S Sonny Styles, Ohio State
101 S Sebastian Castro, Iowa
102 EDGE Anto Saka, Northwestern
104 DL Jordan Phillips, Maryland
108 QB Miller Moss, USC
109 CB Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon
114 RB Nick Singelton, Penn State
129 WR Tez Johnson, Oregon

Ohio State WR Emeka Egbula 2025 NFL Draft Steelers

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 5 SCOUT REPORT

Iowa-Ohio State

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

25 WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
30 CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
33 EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
34 OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
37 DL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
40 RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
43 EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
48 IOL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
77 RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
75 TE Luke Lachey, Iowa
98 Davison Igbinosun, CB Ohio State
100 S Sonny Styles, Ohio State
101 S Sebastian Castro, Iowa

RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 4 SCOUT REPORT

USF – Miami
Oklahoma State – Utah

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

29 RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
34 QB Cameron Ward, Miami
65 LB Lander Barton, Utah
97 WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 3 SCOUT REPORT

Colorado – Colorado State
Pitt – West Virginia
Alabama – Wisconsin
Kansas State – Arizona

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

1 CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
3 WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
5 QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
25 IOL Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
36 CB Tacario Davis, Arizona
41 IOL Tyler Booker, Alabama
46 QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
63 WR Tory Holton, Colorado State
56 OT Wyatt Milum, West Virginia
67 IOL Parker Brailsford, Alabama
89 OT Jack Nelson, Wisconsin
94 IOL Jaeden Roberts, Alabama
110 CB Domani Jackson, Alabama
112 S Keon Sabb, Alabama
114 DL Jaheim Otis, Alabama
118 S Shilo Sanders, Colorado
119 S Malachi Moore, Alabama

Pittsburgh Steelers Quinn Ewers

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 2 SCOUT REPORT

Texas – Michigan

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

3 CB Will Johnson, Michigan
6 DL Mason Graham, Michigan
11 OT Kelvin Banks, Texas
14 QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
20 TE Colson Loveland, Michigan
23 DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan
43 WR Isaiah Bond, Texas
75 S Rod Moore, Michigan
87 S Andrew Mukuba, Texas
96 CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
99 Kalel Mullings, Michigan
106 RB Donovan Edwards, Michigan
109 S Andrew Mukuba, Texas

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2025 NFL Draft Penn State Drew Allar

PITTSBURGH STEELERS WEEK 1 SCOUT REPORT

Penn State – West Virginia
Stanford-TCU
Colorado – North Dakota St
Minnesota – North Carolina

Top 100 Prospects Scouted:

1 CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
5 QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
21 EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
27 OT Aireontea Ersery, Minnesota
50 S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
47 QB Drew Allar, Penn State
64 RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
68 OT Wyatt Milum, West Virginia
71 EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
80 RB RB Nick Singleton, Penn Sate
84 WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
100 TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
118 S Shilo Sanders, Colorado

STEELERS 2025 NFL DRAFT SCHOOLS SCOUTED

Alabama Michigan USF
Arizona Minnesota USC
BYU Nebraska Stanford
UCLA North Carolina Syracuse
Colorado North Dakota State Texas
Colorado State Northwestern TCU
Georgia Ohio State Utah
Iowa Oklahoma State Washington
Kansas State Oregon West Virginia
Maryland Penn State Wisconsin
Miami Pitt

STEELERS 2025 NFL DRAFT SCOUTING BIG BOARD

QUARTERBACK WIDE RECEIVER RUNNING BACK
2 Cameron Ward, Miami 7 WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona 16 Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
3 Shedeur Sanders, Colorado 14 Luther Burden, Missouri 50 Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
11 Jalen Milroe, Alabama 22 Isaiah Bond, Texas 58 Omarion Hampton, N. Carolina
17 Quinn Ewers, Texas 23 Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State 73 Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
18 Carson Beck, Georgia 43 Tre Harris, Ole Miss 101 TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
34 Garrett Nussmeier, LSU 56 Evan Stewart, Oregon 109 Nick Singleton, Penn State
42 Drew Allar, Penn State 70 Elic Ayomanor, Stanford 115 Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
80 Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss 79 Jalen Royals, Utah State 139 Jaydn Ott, Cal
112 Kurtis Rourke, Indiana 84 Nic Anderson, Oklahoma 149 Jo’Quavious Marks, USC
148 Riley Leonard, Notre Dame 86 Jayden Higgins, Iowa State 155 Kalel Mullings, Michigan
174 Conner Weigman, Texas A&M 89 Kaden Prather, Maryland CORNERBACK
177 Kyle McCord, Syracuse 94 Tory Holton, Colorado State 1 Travis Hunter, Colorado
187 Miller Moss, USC 97 Deion Burks, Oklahoma 5 Will Johnson, Michigan
193 Dillon Gabriel, Oregon 119 Tez Johnson, Oregon 20 Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
212 Cade Klubnik, Clemson 120 Bru McCoy, Tennesse 26 Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
289 Max Brosmer, Minnesota 122 Savion Williams, TCU 35 Denzel Burke, Ohio State
DEFENSIVE LINE 132 Kyren Lacy, LSU 40 Tacario Davis, Arizona
4 Mason Graham, Michigan 136 Tai Felton, Maryland 64 Mansoor Delane, Virginia Tech
19 Kenneth Grant, Michigan 142 Matthew Golden, Texas 66 Jahdae Barron, Texas
21 Deone Walker, Kentucky 144 Xavier Restrepo, Miami 71 Daylen Everette, Georgia
29 Walter Nolen, Ole Miss 173 Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville 72 Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
36 Tyleik Williams, Ohio State 183 Antwane Wells Jr, Ole Miss 76 Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon
39 L.T. Overton, Alabama 189 Ricky White, UNLV 77 Azareye’h Thomas, Virginia Tech
47 Derrick Harmon, Oregon  194 Chris Brazzell, Tennessee 83 Trey Amos, Ole Miss
55 Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M  207 Daniel Jackson, Minnesota 85 Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
62 T.J. Sanders, South Carolina LINEBACKER 98 Domani Jackson, Alabama
65 Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee 27 Jalon Walker, Georgia 103 Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech
69 Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati 37 Harold Perkins, LSU 106 Jason Marshall Jr., Florida
81 Jordan Burch, Oregon 54 Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma 129 Will Lee III, Texas A&M
88 Howard Cross III, Notre Dame 59 Barrett Carter, Clemson 151 Jermari Harris, Iowa
99 Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia 60 Jihaad Campbell, Alabama 152 Justin Wallley, Minnesota
100 DeMonte Capehart, Clemson 105 Lander Barton, Utah 163 Darien Porter, Iowa State
137 Zane Durant, Penn State 110 Sonny Styles, Ohio State 165 Terrance Brooks, Illinois
154 Ty Hamilton, Ohio State 124 Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia 170 Cobee Bryant, Kansas
156 Jordan Phillips, Maryland 125 Nick Martin, Oklahoma State 175 Nohl Williams, Cal
162 Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech 135 Deontae Lawson, Alabama 179 Tommi Hill Nebraska 

 

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