PITTSBURGH — Tamon Lynum 's post-draft process was quiet. He was at home in Orlando, Fla. and had yet to receive a camp invite until the Pittsburgh Steelers called. The NFL organization, in which he spent two years practicing next to, wanted him to try out for the team during their rookie minicamp.
With no time to waste, the former Pitt cornerback flew back to Pittsburgh as a late addition to the Steelers' camp. Lynum's performance during the camp landed him an undrafted free agent contract with the Steelers.
"First, it's been a blessing, man. I just want to thank God for being here, cuz they could have told anybody to come, but they chose me, so I'm just blessed and grateful for that," Lynum told Steelers Now .
Lynum continued to push for a role with the Steelers during the team's mandatory minicamp.
"It's been fun, man, being here, working with all the vets, being around everybody, just picking up games, seeing how they do stuff, and just trying to, you feel me, fit in where I fit in, and do everything I can. Do everything that they need me to do and just go out there and perform at a high level every day," Lynum said.
As Lynum built his case for a possible roster spot this season, he made a notable splash play during mandatory minicamp when he picked off third-round pick-quarterback Drew Allar .
"It felt good, man," Lynum said. "Got my first NFL pick in practice in 7-on-7. I still got them gloves. I got to write on them like 'First pick in practice,' so I ain't never going to throw them away."
During camp, the 6-2, 189-pound Lynum has taken quick note of the differences between college offenses and those at the NFL level.
"The main thing, I would say, is the speed and that the quarterbacks are gonna put it right there on the money every time. They're not gonna miss it. That's why A-Rod (Aaron Rodgers) is who he is, you know, because of what he does, so you just got to be real technical and real sound every play," Lynum said.
Following each Steelers practice, Lynum would spend a few extra minutes fielding balls from the Jugs machine alongside teammates.
"Work on just technique, man, technique and learning the playbook," he said. "If I get the playbook down, I can play fast and play how I want to, so that's my main thing, just taking care of my body and learning that playbook, for sure."
Lynum has quickly connected with teammates on the field, including the veterans, as he looks to absorb as much knowledge in his first year of professional football.
"Me and all the rookies, we kind of hang together and do everything together," he said. "Day (Daylen Everette), RJ (Robert Spears-Jennings), Dev (Devan Boykin), the rookie group that came in. And then the older guys, all of them help. Asante (Samuel Jr.), (Jaquan) Brisker, (DeShon) Elliott, everybody being real helpful and trying to help us understand so we can go out there and play fast and do what we need to do."
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Tamon Lynum at minicamp on June 3, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
42 • Tamon Lynum, Cornerback, Pitt 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, 1st pro season
Acquired : Lynum signed as an undrafted free agent after a Steelers rookie minicamp tryout on May 18.
Lynum began his college career at Nebraska for four seasons before entering the transfer portal and landing at Pitt. Lynum's size and length made him a solid fit in Pat Narduzzi's defensive scheme. Upon his arrival, Lynum immediately pressed for time at cornerback.
During the 2024 campaign, Lynum played in all 13 games with three starts against Virginia, Clemson and Toledo. He collected 36 tackles, seven pass breakups, two tackles for loss, one sack and one interception coming against Virginia.
As a sixth-year senior, Lynum became a key veteran piece in Pitt's defense. He started nine of the 10 games he appeared in while missing three with injury. He totaled 21 tackles, one interception coming against Syracuse and one pass breakup.
At Nebraska, Lynum played in 24 games with one start. As a redshirt junior, Lynum totaled 12 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack.
Pitt cornerback Tamon Lynum in a game against Duquesne on Aug. 30, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Pittsburgh Sports Now
| Year |
Team |
GP |
GS |
Total |
TFL |
PBU |
Sacks |
Int |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
Pitt |
10 |
9 |
21 |
0.0 |
1 |
0.0 |
1 |
| 2024 |
Pitt |
13 |
3 |
36 |
2.0 |
7 |
1.0 |
1 |
| 2023 |
Neb |
12 |
1 |
12 |
1.0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 2022 |
Neb |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2021 |
Neb |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2020 |
Neb |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Lynum worked out at Pitt's Pro Day in late March. Lynum's 40 was average, running a 4.55. His shuttle, 3-cone, vertical and broad jump performances came below average. His pre-draft testing was sub-par, but Lynum's height at nearly 6-2 bodes well at the NFL and piqued the interest of the Steelers.
Lynum signed a three-year, $3.1 million contract with the Steelers, including an average annual salary of $1.3 million. His cap hit for 2026 is $885,000.
Lynum's mother passed away when he was 13 after a battle with cancer. Lynum's grandfather, Greg Thompson, vowed to his daughter that he would watch over her son as the Evans football head coach until Lynum received his first Division I offer. Lynum earned that first offer as a junior and Thompson shortly thereafter retired. Lynum would then go on to play six years at the Power Four level.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : After Two Years Next Door, Rookie CB Tamon Lynum Chasing Roster Spot with Steelers
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