Former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Delivers Powerful Endorsement Of Potential Breakout Defender In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a strong couple of draft classes under the reign of General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl. The two went through their first draft together in 2023, and were able to find a lot of guys that made big impacts during their rookie season. This includes tackle Broderick Jones, Keeanu Benton, Joey Porter Jr., Darnell Washington, and Nick Herbig. They also used their seventh round pick in 2023 on a tall and physical corner in Cory Trice Jr., who has yet to make his regular season debut.

Trice had a lot of excitement around him going into the 2023 season. He impressed during rookie minicamp and Organization Team Activities (OTAs), but suffered a devastating season-ending knee injury towards the beginning of training camp. He hadn't even gotten to the first preseason game before going down. He showed a ton of potential and is a player many fans are excited to see in 2024. His classmate, Herbig, recently went on the Steel Here podcast, where co-host Jersey Jerry shared a story about former quarterback Kenny Pickett hyping up Trice ahead of the 2023 season.

"Yo Nick [Herbig], when I was talking to Kenny [Pickett] last year, texting back and forth, he always used to talk about Joey Porter [Jr.] and Cory Trice [Jr.]. Before Cory Trice got hurt last year, he would be like, 'Yo Jerry, this kid Cory Trice, he's good bro. He's f**king really good, he's long, got good ball awareness, he's going to be really good.' What do you see in him this year? Because he looked so good in the preseason, how does he do in practice?"

The pair of cornerbacks the Steelers drafted in 2023 had a ton of excitement surrounding them. Porter for obvious reasons, being a second-round pick and being the son of a Steelers legend. Trice was excited because Pittsburgh drafted him so late and he began to look like he would be a steal. He continued that trend with his play in training camp and the preseason this year, which Herbig talked about.

"Oh, Cory's a dog. He has that mindset too, that same mindset, that Steelers mindset. He works hard man, obviously he's coming off of an ACL [injury], that can be challenging. Just the way he attacks everyday, I have nothing but respect for that guy, the way he works, his attention to detail, and how he tries to get better every single day."

Trice will be relied upon heavily during the 2024 season. If the Steelers don't add any external help at cornerback, he will likely be the primary backup to Porter and Donte Jackson, and he should see some playing time in dime packages on obvious passing downs as well.

Steelers Are Relying Heavily On Their Young Cornerbacks

Pittsburgh has a budding superstar in Porter at the corner position, as the second-year player was a finalist for the NFL's AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award at the end of the 2023 season. They have Jackson on the other side of the field who has a ton of experience in the NFL, but behind them are Trice and Darius Rush. Trice has yet to play a down in a meaningful game, and Rush barely saw the field during his rookie year in 2023 after being cut by the Indianapolis Colts, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Rush made some plays for the Steelers towards the end of the 2023 season, and will look to be a contributor in 2024. There is still a chance Pittsburgh pursues some veteran help at cornerback, but with just under two weeks to go until the season opener, the organization seems to have a lot of faith in their young cornerback group. Both Rush and Trice should see a good amount of playing time in 2024, and will each look to solidify themselves as corners who are able to contribute at the NFL level.

What do you think about the praise for Trice from Pickett? Let us know in the comments below!

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