The Steelers have a defensive lineman that is sticking out in a good way at training camp. Coming into 2023, it was a prove-it year for Isaiahh Loudermilk, who could be looking on the outside in the roster projections with a deep defensive line room. However, if training camp is anything to go by, Loudermilk is shunning those doubters and balling out.
Loudermilk has added about 10 pounds since he came into the NFL, and it’s all good weight. The man looks better and more shredded and the bull rush is really starting to come along. He won all five of his one-on-one reps today with that bull rush and long arm combination. Loudermilk is starting to build up a resume here. He had a few stops in the team run period as well.
In those run periods and short yardage downs, Loudermilk was a menace. On the first carry, he went from a 5-technique, crossed the face of the guard, and ripped through with one arm to stop the running back. Then, later on, he kept the edge discipline and threw Moore to the side to stop a jet sweep to his side. He is having a very quietly good training camp. If he plays like this in preseason games, Loudermilk will make this team.
“I feel like this year I just can put everything together,” Loudermilk said. “You know, I got that bull rush and the game gets slower every year.”
He looks noticeably stronger and ready to go. The team likely keeps seven defensive linemen, and as noted above, it is hard to believe that at this point, Loudermilk will not be one of those seven. Now, the strength and flashes need to translate over into the preseason games, and Loudermilk has that chance on Friday when the Steelers face the Buccaneers.
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