Steelers Sign Versatile Interior Offensive Lineman

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed a versatile interior offensive lineman as an undrafted free agent, as the club announced on Sunday the signing of Iowa State center Trevor Downing, following the end of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Downing is 6-foot-3, 299 pounds and comes to Pittsburgh after a five-year career in Ames with the Cyclones.

A three-star recruit coming out of Creston, Iowa, Downing picked his hometown school and took a longer road to the NFL. He redshirted his freshman season in 2018. In 2019, he earned a job, starting the last 12 games of the season at left guard.

He looked to repeat that performance in 2020, but suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. In 2021, he was shifted to right guard, where he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and all made one start at center.

He was again an all-conference selection in 2022 after making the move over to center. He started all 12 games, wrapping up his college career with 38 starts. He was on the watch lists for the Lombardi Award, Rimington Trophy and Outland Trophy.

The Steelers also added a player with similar versatility in seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson out of Maryland. Anderson and Downing will likely compete to be the team’s top backup at center, with the departure of incumbent J.C. Hassenauer via free agency.

The Steelers have a glut of talent at guard, where 2022 starters Kevin Dotson and James Daniels and backup Kendrick Green have been joined by free agent singings Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig.