As expected, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Jordan Zumwalt is present for the week of mandatory minicamp practices after missing all of the OTA practices due to UCLA being on the quarter system.
According to a Twitter post by Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Zumwalt, the Steelers first of two sixth-round draft picks back in May, will continue to get reps at outside linebacker during the minicamp. However, once training camp gets underway in Latrobe later next month, Zumwalt is expected to practice inside in addition to outside.
Jordan Zumwalt will continue to play OLB through minicamp but will play both inside and outside at training camp.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) June 17, 2014
It’s currently unclear as to whether or not starting outside linebacker Jason Worilds was able to resume practicing this week after missing nearly all of the OTA practices with a calf issue. If indeed Worilds is still unable to work, it makes sense that Zumwalt would be working outside due to the lack of numbers at the position.
While at UCLA, Zumwalt started 30 of 50 games played at three different positions, middle linebacker, strong-side outside linebacker and weak-side inside linebacker. In addition, his transition to the Steelers 3-4 defense should be fairly smooth being as he played for former Steelers defensive assistant Lou Spanos during his time at UCLA.
Following the selection of Zumwalt during the draft, Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler noted that he mostly saw the UCLA product as an inside linebacker that will “create competition” at the position.
