The Steelers have selected Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth with the No. 55 overall selection in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Friday.
Freiermuth is a 6-foot-5, 258-pound native of Newburyport, Massachusetts that turned pro after his junior season with the Nittany Lions.
He had a breakout year in 2019, making 43 catches for 507 yards and seven touchdowns. He played a limited schedule in 2020, appearing in four games and hauling in 23 passes for 310 yards and a score. An injury suffered against Iowa preemptively ended his collegiate career.
Freiermuth is known as both a quality pass-catcher and blocker at the tight end position and will help the Steelers replace Vance McDonald, who retired after the 2020 season. Freiermuth should be expected to share time with starter Eric Ebron, who is entering the final season of his contract.
Freiermuth’s selection was made by another Nittany Lion-turned-Steeler, Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris.
The Steelers have two other Penn State alumni on their roster: linebacker Marcus Allen and cornerback Trevor Williams.