Steelers Rookie Additions

2012 DRAFT PICKS
1: DAVID DeCASTRO, 6-0, 316, OG/C
Stanford University / Bellevue, Washington
PAST: DeCastro started all 39 games he played in at right offensive guard for Stanford… Finished his stellar career with 316 knockdowns, 68 touchdown-resulting blocks and a blocking consistency grade of 91.63... All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, Walter Camp, Associated Press, Sporting News, American Football Coaches Association and Football Writers Association…
PRESENT: Considered the top interior lineman in the 2012 draft class, DeCastro will have every chance to win the starting RG spot as a rookie for the Steelers.
THEY SAID IT: "When you watch (Stanford) run the football, I would say 80 percent of the time David DeCastro was leading the way. This kid is an exceptional player." - Kevin Colbert

2: MIKE ADAMS, 6-7, 323, OT
Ohio State University / Dublin, Ohio
PAST: Adams appeared in 30 games during his four-year career at Ohio State, starting 25 contests, including his last 21… In his final two seasons as a starter, he registered 167 knockdowns and 33 touchdown-resulting blocks.
PRESENT: Adams had some issues that raised red flags heading onto the draft, including a suspension for violating NCAA rules at Ohio State and a positive drug test at the NFL combine, which he then lied about. On talent alone, he would likely have been a first-round draft pick. His actions afterward convinced the Steelers he was worth the risk.
THEY SAID IT: "I am comfortable because of his actions. I won’t be convinced that he made it as a player until the day he retires." - Kevin Colbert

3: SEAN SPENCE, 5-11, 231, LB
University of Miami / Miami, Florida
PAST: Spence started 40-of-47 games at Miami - 39 at weak-side outside linebacker and the 2011 Georgia Tech contest at middle linebacker… He ranks 11th in school history with 318 tackles (170 solos) that included 10.5 sacks for minus 87 yards and 47.0 stops for losses totaling 164 yards… Spence is just one of six Hurricanes to ever record 100 tackles at least twice in a career.
PRESENT: Slightly undersized, but makes up for it with his quickness, athleticism and mobility. Should help on special teams immediately.
THEY SAID IT: "Sean is a very instinctive, fast, quick kid that is very smart." - Linebackers coach Keith Butler

4: ALAMEDA TA’AMU, 6-2, 348, DT
University of Washington / Kent, Washington
PAST: Started 42 of 50 games at left defensive tackle for Washington as he produced 109 tackles (57 solo) with 7.5 sacks (48 yards) and 16.5 tackles for loss (68 yards)…Advanced a fumble recovery 14 yards and deflected one pass.
PRESENT: Considered an eventual replacement for Casey Hampton at nose tackle. Probably not a great pass rusher in the NFL but won't be asked to that in the Steelers scheme.
THEY SAID IT: "He will be able to play a long time and I think he will be a very good football player." - Defensive line coach John Mitchell

5: CHRIS RAINEY, 5-8, 178, TB/WR/RS
University of Florida / Lakeland, Florida
PAST: Started 19 games at Florida – six as a slot receiver and 14 at tailback… Ranks ninth in school history with 2,464 yards rushing, carrying the ball 396 times for a 6.22-yard average with 13 TDs… Caught 69 passes for 795 yards and six scores… Returned 26 punts for 235 yards (9.04 ypc) with two scores and tallied 454 yards on 18 kickoff returns (25.22 avg)… Set the school and SEC career-record with six blocked punts.
PRESENT: Should compete immediately for time as a kick and/or punt returner.
THEY SAID IT: "He is a situational player when it comes to offense.  It might be third down, it might be by package, you might see him as a receiver or as a running back, but you’ll see him do a little bit of everything." - Offensive coordinator Todd Haley

7: TONEY CLEMONS, 6-2, 210, WR
University of Colorado / New Kensington, Pennsylvania
PAST: Became the first player to play in the Big 10, Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences in his career with CU’s switch to the latter in 2011. Played in 19 games and made three starts at Michigan in two seasons, earning a varsity letter both his freshman and sophomore campaigns.
PRESENT: Returns to play for his hometown team and is expected to compete for the fifth wide receiver position as a rookie.
THEY SAID IT: "I thought he was a young man that was hungry for an opportunity... He can catch the ball, has nice range. What I really like about him is his unique combination of size and speed." - Receivers coach Scottie Montgomery

7: DAVID PAULSON, 6-4, 241, TE
Oregon / Auburn, Washington
PAST: Started 26 games in his final two years, registering 67 receptions for 1,041 yards with 10 touchdowns.
PRESENT: Played fullback in the Shrine Game, but projects more as a flex-tight end for the Steelers.
THEY SAID IT: "He’s a guy that has some talent and some position flexibility for us." - Tight ends coach James Daniel

7: TERRENCE FREDERICK, 5-10, 187, DB
Texas A&M / Katy, Texas
PAST: Saw action in 50 games, making 45 starts... a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection... Finished with 205 tackles, six sacks, four interceptions, 19 TFLs and 29 pass breakups.
PRESENT: The Steelers have a need for depth at cornerback, which gives Frederick a chance to make the active roster as a rookie.
THEY SAID IT: "He has a chance to contribute at a position where we feel we could use some depth and competition." - Kevin Colbert

7: KELVIN BEACHUM, 6-3, 306, OL
Southern Methodist University / Mexia, Texas
PAST: Started all 52 games in four seasons at SMU… Named first team Conference USA after his junior season… As a senior he was named to Conference-USA All-Academic Team.
PRESENT: His versatility will give him a chance to make the team.
THEY SAID IT: "We know he can play tackle but he really has guard size, and he really has a center’s intelligence." - Kevin Colbert

ROOKIE FREE AGENTS
Drew Butler, P, 6-1, 204, Georgia
Terry Carter, CB, 5-10, 184, La. Tech 
Connor Dixon, WR, 6-5, 222, Duquesne 
Robert Golden, S, 5-11, 202, Arizona
Ikponmwosa Igbinosun, DE, 6-4, 288, Southern Connecticut State
Ryan Lee, C/G 6-3, 308, Furman
Brandon Lindsey, LB, 6-2, 254, Pitt
Marquis Maze, WR, 5-8, 186, Alabama
Grant Ressel, K, 6-1, 190, Missouri
Adrian Robinson, LB, 6-1, 250, Temple
Desmond Stapleton, OT, 6-5, 301, Rutgers
Jake Stoller, DE, 6-3, 284, Yale

PLAYERS ON TRYOUT
Corey Balcerczak, OG, 6-3, 300, St. John Fisher College
Chris Banjo, S, 5-10, 206, SMU
Marquis Frazier, DT, 6-3, 276, SMU
Alex Russian, LS, 6-4, 234, LSU
Darron Thomas, QB, 6-3, 220, Oregon

FIRST-YEAR FREE AGENTS
Tyler Beiler, WR, 6-0, 190, Bridgewater College
Mike Blanc, DT, 6-3, 286, Auburn
Corbin Bryant, DE, 6-4, 297, Northwestern
David Gilreath, WR, 5-10, 169, Wisconsin
Brandon HIcks, LB, 6-2, 228, Florida
Jerrod Johnson, QB, 6-5, 251, Texas A&M
Will Johnson, FB, 6-2, 238, WVU
Wes Lyons, TE, 6-9, 233, WVU
John Malecki, OL, 6-2, 298, Pitt
Jamie McCoy, TE, 6-3, 240, Texas A&M
Marshall McFadden, LB, 6-1, 233, South Carolina State
Myron Rolle, S, 6-2, 215, Florida State
Juamorris Stewart, WR, 6-2, 198, Southern
Trevis Turner, OT, 6-7, 333, Abeline Christian
Jimmy Young, WR, 6-0, 204, TCU