Eli Heidenreich was already coming to phrases with changing into an undrafted free agent. That is, till the Pittsburgh Steelers advised him the information that he, a local of the town who performed at Mt. Lebanon, was staying proper at residence.
Heidenreich spoke to ESPN proper after changing into Pittsburgh’s final selection of the draft, 230th overall. He revealed he verbally agreed to signal with one other group earlier than getting the decision from the Steelers.
“There were a lot of undrafted free agent discussions going on back there,” he advised ESPN. “I actually committed to a team. And then the Steelers came in, and all the emotions kind of hit me at once.”
It’s widespread for groups to contact gamers within the closing spherical to specific curiosity in signing them as undrafted free brokers, and it doesn’t violate any league guidelines. But that dedication is simply verbal and non-binding in case a group drafts the participant, as was the case with Heidenreich Saturday night.
Heidenreich didn’t share which group he agreed to signal with. But that group should look elsewhere to exchange his numerous ability set. He was a versatile receiver and runner who had a prolific profession at Navy.
He’s simply the second Navy participant the Steelers have ever drafted. Pittsburgh chosen DT Glen Nardi within the 16th round of the 1973 NFL Draft.
“I was thinking back to all the games I’d been to growing up all throughout my life of being in Heinz Field and watching those games go down,” Heidenreich mentioned after being picked. “And then I’m gonna have the opportunity to go out and then and play for the black and gold,” he mentioned of being picked. “It was a fantastic feeling. Nothing like I’ve ever felt before.”
Some analysts will argue it’s higher to be an undrafted free agent than a seventh-round decide. An opportunity to decide on your group and consider the scheme and roster. But nothing replaces a second like what Heidenreich skilled tonight. The Steelers known as his identify in his hometown, permitting him to stroll onstage to a crowd of cheering followers. No one can put a worth on that.
