With the college all-star game season underway, NFL scouts are busy evaluating potential talent for their teams. For the Pittsburgh Steelers’ scouts, this involved attending the East-West Shrine Game in Dallas and then heading to Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl.
Jim Ward, a Steelers area scout, is focused on assessing defensive linemen at the Senior Bowl. He explained that this event is part of a larger evaluation process that includes fall performances, all-star games, interviews, and combines. “It’s the next phase,” Ward stated. “The fall is one phase of the evaluation. It’s not the final evaluation.”
The Senior Bowl has been crucial for the Steelers in identifying new talent. Since 2007, they have drafted at least one player from this event each year. While participation alone doesn’t guarantee selection, it provides valuable insights into players’ capabilities.
Head coach Mike Tomlin and his staff use this opportunity to personally evaluate players. Tomlin’s active involvement during practice sessions offers a unique perspective on potential draftees. “Coach Tomlin has got such an incredible ability to get down on the field,” Ward noted.
Scouts like Ward work long hours during these events, analyzing practices and conducting interviews with players in the evenings. Despite the demanding schedule, Ward finds fulfillment in identifying players who fit what he describes as “a Pittsburgh Steeler.” He emphasized traits such as mental toughness and passion for football as key attributes sought by the team.
After the Senior Bowl concludes, scouts will convene in Pittsburgh to build their draft board and prepare for further evaluations at upcoming events like the NFL Scouting Combine.
Ward’s connection to Pittsburgh runs deep; he grew up locally and played college football at Slippery Rock before transitioning into scouting. This personal history adds another layer of dedication to his role in finding future Steelers who embody qualities reflective of both the team and city.
