Steelers Sign UDFA Linebacker after Tryout

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed outside linebacker Toby Ndukwe to a contract as an undrafted free agent after his tryout during the team’s rookie minicamp, the club announced on Monday.


Ndukwe is a 6-foot-2, 250-pound outside linebacker that came to the Steelers after spending the 2022 season at Sam Houston State. In his lone season with the Bearkats, Ndukwe played in eight games, posting 34 tackles, 10 for a loss, one-half of a sack and five hurries. He also had an interception and two passes defended. He was named an all-WAC first team selection.

Before Sam Houston State, Ndukwe spent five seasons at SMU. He redshirted in 2017 and played as a reserve in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, he played in all 10 games, making five starts and registering 11 tackles, one for a loss and one quarterback hurry. In 2021, he moved back to a primarily special teams role.

A native of Richmond, Texas, Ndukwe attended George Ranch High School, the same school as NFL players Darius Anderson, Kinglsey Keke and Quintin Morris.

Ndukwe will become the Steelers’ sixth outside linebacker, behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, experienced backup Quincy Roche, fourth-round draft pick Nick Herbig, and fellow undrafted rookie David Perales out of Fresno State.

The Steelers announced the signing of Ndukwe along with the release of three players, meaning their offseason roster now stands at 87 players. The club will report for organized team activities at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex beginning on Tuesday.