Rookie Watch: OLB Toby Ndukwe Is Flashing Quickness in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh – Nothing is better than when a player captures your attention purely on merit. I’ll admit I knew absolutely nothing about Steelers outside linebacker Toby Ndukwe prior to speaking to him after their second day of OTA workouts.
Subconsciously we can overrate individuals based on knowing their higher draft status or enlarged bank accounts from becoming superstars in the NFL. Recognition often masks our reality in seeing the players’ true potential. Watching Ndukwe at OTAs, it was simply the way he conducted himself throughout the sessions that captivated me to learn more about him.
“I came from Sam Houston State, and prior to that, I was at SMU,” Ndukwe said. “I did five years there and one at Sam. When I got to Sam (Houston State), I really just blew up, and that’s what really got the attention of the scouts.”
The Steelers scouts surely noticed his explosiveness and fluidity. It was just a few things that piqued my interest to know more about this 6-foot-1 and 240-pound outside backer who jumped a 10’6 broad jump at his pro day—validating his explosiveness.
Chris Ballard and company in Indianapolis were the first team to introduce Ndukwe to the NFL. The Colts General Manager invited him to their rookie minicamp for a quick cup of coffee prior to receiving a call from the Steelers.
“I got a call from Omar (Khan),” Ndukwe said before getting ready for church on Sunday morning. “He called to get to know me a little bit, and shortly after that call, I received a text with flight details and all that.”
This undrafted rookie is quickly realizing the ups and downs of trying to make it in the league. Colts rookie minicamp, then a week later, he went off to another city to a new team in his quest to secure his status in the National Football League.
In a short window of time, I took it upon myself to delve into knowing more about this young man who grew up in Richmond, Texas. A former Defensive MVP in the UIL Class 5A Division II State Championship game back in 2015, registered seven tackles, including three for loss and two sacks.
Appearing in 43 games at SMU, Ndukwe had a pedestrian number of tackles (26), but the impact of those 26 tackles provided the Mustangs with very positive results. He totaled six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks within that 26-tackle window.
Playing primarily on special teams in 2021 and using his extra year of eligibility, Ndukwe transferred to Sam Houston State. He recorded more tackles (28) and tackles for loss (9) than during his entire tenure at Southern Methodist University.
His rawness is accompanied by a splendid concoction of athleticism which is what attracts you to his game. That’s the current mission of the Steelers' personnel department in evaluating if they can eventually mold this quick-twitch edge rusher with a penchant for making the most of his opportunities.
“Pretty much everything,” Ndukwe replied where he has lined up on defense during his collegiate career. “I started out as a 4i (working on the inside shoulder of the tackle) and transitioned over to the edge. Then outside linebacker in my last at SMU. Then when I got to Sam, I pretty much played almost everywhere. Inside or outside edge. Just having that versatility to have my hand at each of those positions was very beneficial.”
Now he is learning the pro game alongside the likes of TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, one of the league’s best sack tandems. The moment doesn’t go unnoticed as Ndukwe looks across the locker room to see the media scrum surrounding Watt with Highsmith’s locker in the background of the swarming microphones and cameras.
“Just watching guys like TJ (Watt) and Alex (Highsmith),” Ndukwe said as he glanced over, almost in awe of his two teammates.
“Now I’m just sitting here in the same locker room as them. Wearing the same jersey as them. It’s surreal. You know I’m learning a lot from them. They are phenomenal players and even better human beings. Just learning the little things and trying to take that next step towards greatness.”
Ndukwe could be jettisoned off to another city before next week’s OTAs begin on the south side of Pittsburgh, but he made an impression based on the way he performed during the OTA workouts.
Rules and regulations on what can be reported vastly limit the details in what can be reported, but rest assured, No. 45 helped his cause to remain on the roster as week two of OTA workouts approaches.
