From Steelers Now :
Tommy Smith, Rhode Island Athletics
The Pittsburgh Steelers have invited versatile Rhode Island offensive weapon Tommy Smith to the team's rookie minicamp, the Rhode Island program announced on Monday.
Smith spent six seasons at Rhode Island, lining up all over the offense at wide receiver, running back, fullback and tight end. He was also a key special teamer in multiple phases for the Rams.
In 2024, he played in all 14 games, recording five carries for 15 yards and two touchdowns, 27 receptions for 413 yards and three touchdowns. It was by far the most extensive playing time of his career. Before 2023, he had a total of one catch for four yards over five seasons.
Smith also had seven career kickoff returns for 55 yards and one punt return for six yards. He was a regular special teams player, recording a total of 22 tackles over his career. Smith led the Rams with nine special teams tackles in 2024 and was a first-team All-CAA selection as a special teamer. He also blocked one kick in 2023.
Tommy Smith, Rhode Island Athletics
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Smith ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash and posted an 8.30 Relative Athletic Score as a fullback, 7.29 as a wide receiver and 6.67 as a tight end.
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves versatile offensive players like Cordarrelle Patterson , a former wide receiver who played mostly running back and kickoff returner for the Steelers in 2024. The Steelers also had quarterback John Rhys Plumlee on their roster last offseason, primarily as a wide receiver and kickoff returner.
The Steelers will invite a number of players to tryouts for their three-day rookie minicamp, which will be held the second weekend of May to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Over the last few seasons, the Steelers have typically signed one or two players to contracts from rookie camp invitees. Among the team's rookie camp tryout successes have been quarterback Devlin Hodges in 2019. Last year, vets Anthony Averett and Jonathan Ward made the team after trying out at rookie camp.
Smith is the second player to be revealed as a tryout, joining Pitt outside linebacker Nate Matlack.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers to Bring in Four-Position FCS Weapon For Tryout
