The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings with the 224th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to an April 26 announcement.
This selection is part of the Steelers’ ongoing efforts to strengthen their roster and address defensive needs. The team has a history of honoring notable players and celebrating achievements through initiatives such as their Hall of Honor, which recognizes figures like Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene for their contributions, as listed on the official website here.
Spears-Jennings appeared in 47 games over four seasons at Oklahoma. In his senior year, he played all 13 games and started the final 12. He finished his college career with 178 tackles, including 101 solo stops, eight tackles for loss totaling 33 yards, two and a half sacks, and two interceptions. “He had a skill set that we were looking,” said assistant head coach/secondary Joe Whitt Jr. “We addressed different needs and different spots, but he’s a kid that I personally like and we like this as a defensive staff.” Whitt also said: “He’s a guy that can play in the box. He has the speed to play in high zones. So, he’s not limited by anything from a skill set standpoint. But we’ll use him depending on the guys around him.”
During his time at Oklahoma, Spears-Jennings was recognized for both athletic performance—such as being named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll—and versatility on defense with significant contributions each season since enrolling in January 2022.
The Steelers are affiliated with the National Football League as a member franchise according to their official website. The organization has achieved notable success historically with six Super Bowl championships as reported by its official site, alongside community engagement efforts through historical celebrations and fan experiences outlined here. Fans can also visit artifacts related to these achievements at Acrisure Stadium’s Hall of Honor Museum according to information provided online.
With this draft pick, Pittsburgh continues its tradition of building strong defensive units while maintaining recognition through multiple Super Bowl wins and inductions into its Hall of Honor as per official records.
