PITTSBURGH -- Training camp always turns up at least one surprise for the Steelers, and that’s part of the fun once things get rolling at St. Vincent College. The roster battles matter, sure, but every summer there’s also that one player who starts drawing the loudest buzz.
Last year, the camp spotlight split in an unexpected direction. Undrafted wide receiver Roc Taylor came in with plenty of hype, but his stock slipped as camp went on in Latrobe. The real head-turner was athlete Max Hurleman, who made his mark with backflip touchdown celebrations.
This summer, there are a few different names positioned to grab that kind of attention.
Ahmari Harvey is one of them. The Georgia Tech defensive back arrived as an undrafted free agent and is set to battle for a roster spot or a place on the practice squad.
Pittsburgh has already spent plenty of offseason attention on the secondary with the additions of cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Jaquan Brisker, but Harvey brings his own appeal. He’s not the flashiest athlete in the group, yet he has a sturdy build and showed real pop as a tackler.
He also broke up seven passes in 2025, which was a career best in the NCAA. If he can handle the speed and physical edge of the next level, he has a chance to become an NFL defender.
At quarterback, Will Howard and Drew Allar are both going to be under the microscope, and one of them should emerge with momentum. The bet here is on Howard. After injuries cost him most of his chance to show what he could do last summer, a strong showing in Latrobe could put him in position to claim the backup job.
Donte Kent is another name worth watching. The 2025 rookie missed his entire first NFL season because of a lower-body injury, and now he gets a fresh start.
He’s a dual-role player who can work in the secondary and handle kick returns, but the real question is whether his speed and burst are still intact after the injury. Before that setback, he was lightning fast.
If that twitch is still there, he’ll stand out quickly.
Kent’s path to the roster got tougher with the arrival of Kaden Wetjen. The Iowa return specialist is here for one job: making plays on kick and punt returns.
In a camp setting where contact is limited and skill players get room to shine, Wetjen should be hard to miss. His quick feet could make him one of the most electric players on the field, and it will leave people wondering if the Steelers found a steal in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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