Isaiahh Loudermilk was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 156th overall in the 2021 draft out of Wisconsin. He was viewed by many as a project guy who would go undrafted and likely be the highest sought after undrafted free agent. The Steelers liked what they saw in his ability and did not want to leave it to chance. They traded back in the draft giving up a 4th round pick in order to get him
Isaiahh Loudermilk Rookie Season
As mentioned above he really was considered a project guy to be groomed with very little immediate expectations. Little did anyone know, Stephon Tuitt would be going through tragedy after tragedy with a mixture of injury and personal issues. He would not play a single game of the 2021 season. Additionally key injuries would happen to the team. Tyson Alualu would go down in week 2 of the season and Carlos Davis would also go down. Both spent basically the whole season sidelined which opened the door for Loudermilk to be thrusted sooner than anyone would have wanted.
Coming out of the draft he weight in only at 270 pounds. According to Isaiahh on a quote from Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. “They looked at me and told me I had to get bigger,” Loudermilk said. He went on to also say he has always been good at controlling his weight. Various stages in his young career he has either had to beef up or slim down. The news around, he is expecting to come in to the season at 305 to 310 pounds. Everything being said about him in training camp thus far is he looks significantly bigger. He looks stronger and ready to be more physical to take on the double teams likely headed his way.
Rotating Line
There were times loudermilk looked great last season making some good plays. However, as a rookie being thrusted in unexpectedly and somewhat undersized at the time he had his struggles. With recently bulking up and having another year in the system I expected him to have a much more productive year. He has looked pretty good in preseason so far without the likes of Cam Heyward being in with him.
It would be interesting in the 3-4 to possibly see Cam, Isaiahh and Ogunjobi in all at once. The Steelers are committed to rotations and allowing guys rest. With that it will keep guys fresh and its up to the next man up to produce so the defense does not lose a beat. It has been said he is the replacement for when Cam Heyward eventually retires; if he ever does. Being behind a future hall of fame and more time in the system I can absolutely see him making continuous strides.
Cam Heyward Will Pass The Torch
If you remember back to the start of Cam Heyward career he was not always on the field or as productive as now. When he initially came in the Steelers were already loaded with the likes of Aaron Smith and Brett Kiesel. Heyward was able to take his time to develop and embrace the Steelers culture. The teams plan is to the do the same for Isaiahh Loudermilk and I trust their judgement when it comes to this position. Offensive linemen these days not so much but, for the most part they do a great job scouting D-line. I can see in the next 3-4 years Heyward retiring and Loudermilk being the next great Steelers defender.
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