Rookie Minicamp Blog: Ready to Get Started

Presentation at work: The Steelers’ new class of rookies arrived at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Thursday, ready to settle in before the team’s three-day minicamp begins Friday.

And there were a lot of things to sort out before we hit the field.

Everything from meeting the team staff, including their position coaches, to equipment setup, team photos and more was on the agenda from the moment they walked through the door.

This was something that didn’t bother them at all, as each of them is excited to begin their journey with the Steelers.

“Reality starts to set in once I’m here and working every day,” said second-round pick Zach Frazier, the center from West Virginia. “I can’t wait to get back on the field. I was counting the days.

“For them to take this chance with me, it means a lot that they would use the second pick on me. Now they’re going to have everything I have and I’m going to give everything I have to the organization, making my best to earn a place and get to work.

He wasn’t the only one who wanted to get to work. All the preparation that goes into the draft, from Pro Days to the Combine to the long hours of waiting for the phone to ring, is now real.

“I’m super excited,” said linebacker Payton Wilson, a third-round pick from North Carolina State. “This is what I live for. The NFL pre-draft process was cool, and a dream come true to be a part of all that. But that’s not really who I am. I don’t really loved this process.

“I love football and I love working to get better, so I can’t wait to get started and be with my teammates, the best coaches in the world. I just continue to elevate my game and be with my teammates.”

Even though rookie minicamp is a crash course that will be repeated throughout OTAs, Wilson knows that making a good first impression remains key.

“I want to step up and make an impact, wherever that may be,” Wilson said. “Wherever the team needs me to make that impact, whether it’s at linebacker or on special teams, I just want to show that I’m willing and able to help them win.

“The goal of the NFL is to win the Super Bowl. Anything I can do to help the team get there and be the best player I can be. I want to be a great leader, a great locker room guy and help this team to win matches.

Even though the minicamp will be strictly for rookies, some veterans were still roaming the building when the new class arrived and meeting them was the first step in bonding as a unit.

“After the draft, it was still a blur. Now it’s time,” said offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, a first-round draft pick from the University of Washington. “I’m ready to go. I can finally play football. I’m excited.

“I’ve already met a lot of offensive line guys in the locker room. I’m just looking forward to learning from them. I want to soak up all the knowledge I can and learn from the guys who have done it.

“I’m looking forward to learning from (offensive line) coach (Pat) Meyer and the rest of the staff. And playing football. This whole process has been tedious. I can finally move on to what’s important , and it plays football.”