TE Pat Freiermuth Thought Draft Call from Steelers was Prank from Penn State Friend

Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth had a pretty good idea that the Pittsburgh Steelers were interested in draft him.

The Steelers had sent general manager Kevin Colbert, head coach Mike Tomlin, offensive coordinator Matt Canada and tight end coach Alfredo Roberts to Penn State’s pro day in March, and he’d connected with the via Zoom for a pre-draft meeting.

“I felt like if I was there at No. 55, they might draft me,” Freiermuth said.

But when Pittsburgh was on the clock in the second round on Friday night, Freiermuth wasn’t sure he’d be the choice.

“When I saw that Pittsburgh area code, I thought it was one of my friends from Penn State pranking me, but I answered the phone and it was Coach Tomlin,” Freiermuth said. “It was one of the best things to ever happen, playing for an organization that’s as storied as the Steelers, and especially having Franco Harris announce my pick. He’s a legend from Penn State and the Steelers. That was just a huge honor. I’m just very excited to be part of this organization.”