Steelers Sign Athletic Rookie Linebacker

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed inside linebacker Craig Young to the practice squad on Wednesday, the team announced.

After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, Young signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on August 27, 2024.

Young finished his career at Ohio State recording 23 tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown. He played in 26 games over three seasons as a Buckeye at linebacker. He decided to transfer to play for the Kansas Jayhawks for his final two seasons of college football.

At Kansas, he played in a hybrid safety role. He appeared in 26 games and recorded 101 tackles, 71 of them solo stops, 10.5 tackles for a loss, eight passes defensed, six sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Young, who stands at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, ran a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. He also did the three-cone drill in 7.27 seconds.

The Seelers also announced the re-signing of outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji to the practice squad on Wednesday. The Steelers signed Ogundeji to the practice squad on Aug. 30 and was with the club up until Monday when he was released.

The Carolina Panthers snatched linebacker Jacoby Windmon off the Steelers practice squad on Tuesday. Windmon’s exit opened up one spot for the Steelers on the practice squad, so Ogundeji returning was an expected move. Eku Leota was the only outside linebacker on the practice squad.

Ogundeji made his Steelers debut in Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He only registered a pass deflection on 16 defensive snaps. He had been elevated to the active roster on Saturday ahead of the trip out to Las Vegas.

“I see it as an opportunity,” Ogundeji said last week. “You don’t get this opportunity all the time. Last year, I didn’t play because of injury at all. Whenever I go out there, I go out there, play to the best of my ability and do what I can do.