New Name Emerges in Steelers RB Competition
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new running back to watch as they begin to close out training camp and head to the final stretch of the preseason before roster cuts. The late-summer signing of Xazavian Valladay, Pittsburgh added an explosive name to their list of contenders behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
Valladay is going to need a few days to familiarize himself with the offense, but once he gets rolling, things could come quickly for the former Arizona State star.
"It's football. I've been doing it since I was a little kid. The only difference is it's a more competitive level," Valladay told All Steelers. "So just being able to show that and continue to sharpen my skills. I have the coaches here to help me enhance my abilities, and everything will take care of itself on the game field."
As an undrafted rookie, Valladay was a surprising name not to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. In five years of school, including four at Wyoming and one at ASU, the Steelers' newest back rushed for 4,466 yards and 35 touchdowns. He ended his college career by rushing for 1,192 yards and a whopping 16 touchdowns in his lone season for the Sun Devils.
Now, he's a name to watch for the Steelers final running back spot.
"Honestly, everybody around here was shocked Valladay didn’t get drafted. After transferring from Wyoming, he was clearly one of ASU’s best players and managed to lead the entire conference with 16 rushing touchdowns while also going over 1,000 yards," Arizona State reporter Donnie Druin told All Steelers. "His burst and vision out of the backfield is impressive, and he can be classified as a complete back that helps in both the run and passing game thanks to his catching ability. Between the Pac-12 snubbing him of all-conference honors and the league letting him go undrafted, the Steelers may have just gotten one pissed off running back who already didn’t need more of an edge to his game."
Valladay will need to outwork veteran Anthony McFarland, who holds a strong lead in the competition for the final backfield spot. If he could learn quickly and come out firing, it'll be hard to ignore the upside his resume, and a first impression can offer the Steelers.
With two preseason games remaining before the 90-man roster is trimmed to 53, Valladay has an opportunity to be the next UDFA to burst onto the scene in Pittsburgh.
"I just got to control what I can control," Valladay said. "I always keep God first. I know it's never going to be easy coming into the NFL. I just know I got to keep doing my thing, and everything will take care of itself."
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