Blaine Stewart on Adjusting to Recruiting, What He Learned with Steelers + More

How good it feels to be back

"I always appreciate coming in these doors. Every time I make the drive. The first time I pulled in for my interview, I got goosebumps. When I pull in this parking lot, it brings back a lot of memories. So, every day I'm appreciative but right now we're just focused on spring ball and trying to get better as a team."

What he learned with the Pittsburgh Steelers

"I learned so much. I can't even put it into words to start. Number one, I just learned to operate at a high level. That starts at the top with the Rooney family and the whole organization. Mr. Colbert, who I worked with. Coach Tomlin. Really, I learned how to do things right and the detailed way. I was around for a lot of really cool stuff. Learned a lot. Had some success, had some adversity in my time there. But the biggest thing, I just learned how to go through the process that is a full year of preparing a football team and watching guys grow."

Thoughts on the tight ends/fullbacks

The guys have been great. They've been working. They've been eager. It's one of those things where you say go, they ask how far? They've done a really good job. I'm really excited about the room because I think we've got a bunch of different roles to be found in that room. I think we've got guys with unique skillsets that can help the offense."

Adjusting to the recruiting aspect of the job

"Recruiting has been good. They've shown me the ropes. We have an unbelievable staff of student workers and graduate assistants that really, my goal, is just to do what they tell me. I've tried to ingratiate myself in the tight end position nationally and I've tried to really emphasize getting roots into my recruiting area that has been finalized. So, I'm just excited about getting out there in May. I was out there two days in January before the second signing day, so that was really good experience getting to Northern Virginia and Eastern West Virginia, and then getting into Indianapolis. So, I'm just excited to gain relationships all over the country."

Thoughts on Kole Taylor

"I think he brings experience. He's played in major college football. He's played in atmospheres that we're going to play in this fall and I think he brings a mindset of professionalism. He comes to work every day. His athletic ability speaks for itself. He runs really well for a big man. He has good ball skills. We're just trying to find a way for him to continue to build, not too fast, but by the end of spring ball, feel very comfortable in every spot in our offense."

Treylan Davis

"I see Treylan Davis as a really good all-around football player. He's going to be the type of guy that's going to lead us in terms of physicality. We got to match his level of physicality because he's no stranger to that. I'm really excited about his development and first and foremost, just his mindset."

Neal Brown welcoming his mom back to the building

"My mom still lives five minutes from here, so this is home. For them, Coach Brown, Coleman [Barnes], Patrick [Johnston], everyone to welcome my mom and I back last summer to show her the buildings and spend some time with her and let her know, even when I wasn't working here that she should feel comfortable in this program and in this building...that meant the world to me. And that's why I have so much respect for this program and Coach Brown."

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