Eli Heidenreich becomes an instant Steelers star after 7th round selection

Normally, when the NFL Draft gets into the seventh round, things go pretty off the rails.

ESPN brings out Orange Crushers and pumpkin pies, Mel Kiper Jr.-style, NFL Network encourages fans to try to “stump the truck” and the fans in attendance begin to think about their post-draft activities, which, in Pittsburgh, boarderline requires a trip to Primanti Brothers.

And yet, for the hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, they made a selection in the seventh round that will challenge the drafting of Jermond McCoy and Garrett Nussmeier’s slip as the most important storyline of Saturday: picking Eli Heidenreich 230th overall.

Moments like THIS

The Pittsburgh crowd erupts as the Steelers select Navy RB Eli Heidenreich in Round 7! pic.twitter.com/SEr2A6c8Ue

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 25, 2026

Walking out to shake the commissioner’s hand in his full uniform, Heidenreich was greeted like a hero by his hometown crowd, getting the reaction of the night that continues into the crowd after, where he took a moment to soak it all in before discussing the moment with ESPN’s team.

A Pittsburgh native who decided to enlist in the Navy after being a zero-star recruit coming out of Mt. Lebanon, where he played running back but was used more as a wide receiver, amassing a school record 1,994 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns over his college career. While only time will tell what kind of role he will play for Pittsburgh moving forward, be that as a running back, a wide receiver, a gunner on special teams, or even a returnman, Heidenreich has 4.44 speed and incredible character taught to him in Annapolis, so his impact will be felt in the Steel City one way or another for years to come.

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