The Steelers drafted outside linebacker Jason Worilds of Virginia Tech in the second round.
Worilds is 6-1, 257 pounds and played defensive end in college.
In drafting Worilds, the Steelers bypassed linebacker Sean Lee, who played at Upper St. Clair and Penn State.
The Steelers have two Pro Bowl outside linebackers in LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison, but as linebackers coach Keith Butler noted, it usually takes a few years for one to become a starter.
“We have two pretty good outside linebackers who are starters right now,” Butlers said. “We think this kid can come in and help us in terms of depth and on special teams as he learns the defense.
“In the eight years I’ve been here, we’ve never had a rookie linebacker start in our system. We like to groom them for a couple years.”
Worilds played defensive end for the Hokies, where he had 15.5 sacks in 41 games, 25 of them starts. He is the latest in a long list of defensive ends converted to OLBs by the Steelers.
A native of Carteret, N.J., he was a special teams ace and Steelers are counting on him to help upgrade that unit.
About the Author Jim McMillen
The Editor & Chief, the brains so to say, behind Pittsburgh Blitz. Jim is a rabid sports fan who just loves his Stillers, Pens and Buccos. Feel free to contact us at steelerguy26[@]yahoo.com if you have any questions or comments or would like to join our staff and write for Pittsburgh Blitz.
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