No team in the NFL loves Wisconsin Badgers’ talent more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. They’re doing well in Pittsburgh this spring, as two former Badgers made The Athletic’s list of “winners” from OTAs.
The Steelers have six former Badgers on their roster: Tyler Beach, Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig, Isaiahh Loudermilk, T.J. Watt, and Russell Wilson.
Former Wisconsin Badgers QB Russell Wilson is doing well
This summer, one of the most important quarterback battles in the league will be between Wilson and former Ohio State signal caller Justin Fields. Kaboly named Fields as one of the Steelers’ “losers” this spring. He doesn’t think Fields can eclipse Wilson after OTAs:
You couldn’t have asked for much more out of Wilson during OTAs and minicamp, on the field and off it. His leadership is more than noticeable, and that’s been true since the first day he showed up. What stood out was his arm talent, whether it was a throw in the flat, at the goal line or down the field.
Wilson did nothing through 12 practices to even slightly indicate he could lose the quarterback competition to Justin Fields. The work ethic, the experience, the arm talent and the fact he basically took all of the first-team snaps strongly suggest that nothing Wilson can do between July 24 and Sept. 8 would prevent him from starting.
Nick Herbig was named a “winner” this spring
One Badger will head into training camp as an underdog to earn playing time for the Steelers this season. The Steelers’ defense is loaded with talent, and 2023 fourth-round pick Nick Herbig will have to keep up the momentum he gained at OTAs to become more active on the unit in the regular season. Kaboly thinks Herbig looked better this spring than he did last season:
Mike Tomlin talks about that second-year jump all the time, yet you don’t see it come to fruition much. Herbig won’t disappoint there. His speed is better than last year, but his addition of moves as a pass rusher stands out.
Sure, he’s undersized, but he also ran over Jaylen Warren during a drill, so how undersized can he be? The issue: Where will the Steelers find snaps for him, especially with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith both playing more than 80 percent of the defensive snaps per game?
Herbig was a significant contributor on special teams in 2023. He played in 17 percent of the Steelers’ defensive snaps last season and showed flashes of promise. Herbig finished his rookie campaign with 27 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Related: Jordan Love had praise for T.J. Watt
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