On Monday, the Steelers released three veterans as part of a series of roster changes.
Pressley Harvin III, an offensive lineman, Chukwuma Okorafor, and quarterback Mitch Trubisky were released by the organization.
The team selected both Harvin and Okorafor in the draft, but signed Trubisky as an unrestricted free agency before the 2022 campaign.
After being chosen in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Harvin punted 217 times for an average of 43.7 yards, totaling 9,473 yards. In addition, he recorded seventy-five punt returns that were downed within the opponent’s 25-yard line.
The Steelers selected Okorafor in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Throughout his six seasons with the team, he participated in 77 games, starting 59 of them.
The Steelers selected Okorafor in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Throughout his six seasons with the team, he participated in 77 games, starting 59 of them.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Trubisky signed an unrestricted free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his two seasons with the black and gold, he participated in 12 games overall, starting seven of them. Trubisky gained 1,884 yards and eight touchdowns on 184 of 287 throw attempts, or 64.1 percent of the total. On 35 carries, he contributed 92 yards of additional yardage, a 2.6 average, and four touchdowns.
Several of the 17 players who the Steelers signed to Reserve/Future contracts today were part of the team’s 2023 practice squad.
Below is a complete list of people who signed:
Luq Barcoo, a cornerback, was added to the practice squad before the beginning of the regular season after signing a one-year contract this offseason. He was an XFL player with the San Antonio Brahmas before getting a contract with the Steelers. He had 31 tackles, one interception, and one sack at the end of the season. After the 2020 NFL Draft, Barcoo signed a rookie free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He participated in three games, one of which he started, and finished with ten tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one pass defensed. He has additionally invested time
tackles, had a pass defensed, and one tackle for a loss. He has also played with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Arizona Cardinals, however he never saw game action with any of the teams. Barcoo attended San Diego State for two years, where his senior year was his best. With nine interceptions, he topped the NCAA. He was selected to the first team of the Mountain West Conference and the third team of the Associated Press All-American team.
offensive tackling Tyler Beach: After the 2023 NFL Draft, Beach signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texas. Beach attended the University of Wisconsin, where he competed for the Badgers in 57 games over the course of five seasons. He participated in 11 games in 2022, nine of which he started. He started six times.
Pro Football Focus reports that he starts at left guard and three at tight end as a backup blocker and is only allowed one sack. He was selected as an honorable mention (media) and third team (coaches) for the 2021 Big Ten. He was selected by coaches as an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2020.
Marquez Callaway, a wide receiver, signed an initial contract as an unrestricted free agent with the New Orleans Saints after the 2020 NFL Draft. In 2021, he led the club in receiving yards (698), receiving touchdowns (6), and receptions (46), all of which were career highs. played college ball for Tennessee, where he recorded six touchdowns and 911 yards from 67 receptions.
Wide receiver Keilahn Harris: Harris was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. He was released before the start of the season, but later brought back to the practice squad. Harris played college ball at Oklahoma Baptist where he played in 34 games. He had 196 receptions for 2,510 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also returned kicks, including 70 for 1,570 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive lineman Jonathan Marshall: Marshall was signed to the practice squad at the start of the 2023 season. Marshall originally was signed by the Steelers at the end of the 2022 season from the New York Jets practice squad. Marshall was drafted by the Jets in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the 207th pick overall. He played in four games for the Jets in 2021 and recorded two tackles. Marshall played at the University of Arkansas where he started the 2020 season, finishing with 35 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, as well as a sack, forced fumble and pass defense. He played in 45 games at Arkansas, recording 71 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, one pass defense, one and a half sacks and two forced fumbles.
Center Ryan McCollum: McCollum was on the practice squad in 2023. McCollum was also elevated for the Batlimore Ravens game in Week 5. McCollum was with the Steelers in training camp, but released prior to the start of the season. He was signed to the practice squad heading into the team’s Week 2 game against the Browns game. McCollum also spent the 2022 season on the Steelers practice squad. McCollum was originally claimed by the Steelers off waivers from the Detroit Lions during training camp in 2022. McCollum has spent time with the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions and Steelers, playing in 13 games, with one start, during his three-year career.
Wide receiver Denzel Mims: Mims was signed to the Steelers practice squad on Oct. 3. He spent part of the offseason and preseason with the Detroit Lions, after they acquired him via a trade with the New York Jets. Mims spent his first three seasons in the league with the Jets, who selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has played in 30 career games, starting 15, and has 42 receptions for 676 yards, a 16.1-yard average. He had his most productive season in 2020 when he had 23 receptions for 357 yards in nine games, starting eight of them. Mims played at Baylor where in 49 games, 26 of them starts, he had 186 receptions for 2,925 yards, a 15.7-yard average, and 28 touchdowns. His senior season he was selected first-team All-Big 12 when he had 66 receptions for 1,020 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Running back Aaron Shampklin: Shampklin most recently spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, but also spent part of the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He played at Harvard where he was a two-time All-Ivy League selection, leading the leage with a 92.8-yard rushing average per game in 2021. Finished his career with 402 carries for 2,251 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Defensive lineman Jacob Slade: Slade spent time on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad after he was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. He played college ball at Michigan State where he recorded 88 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss, four sacks, four passes defensed and a fumble recovery.
Wide receiver Duece Watts: Watts spent time on the Steelers practice squad in 2023. He originally signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. Watts played college ball at Tulane where he appeared in 38 games, starting 29 of them. He finished with 85 receptions for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was one of only four FBS players to register 85-plus catches and 15-plus receiving TDs and average 17.5-plus yards per catch from 2020-22.
