The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed guard Cole Manhart to a futures deal, the team announced today.
Manhart was a UDFA out of Division 2 Nebraska-Kearney, weighed in at 6’4/3 298 pounds at Nebraska’s Pro Day in March. He had 28 reps on the bench press.
He served as a three year starter at left tackle with the Lopers. He was twice named to the AP’s and D-II’s All-American team. Manhart was named a co-captain for his senior year and according to his bio, played some H-Back in 2013.
He was signed as a UDFA by the Philadelphia Eagles in May, waived in June and picked up by the New Orleans Saints a month later. The Saints dumped him four days after and in late December, the Oakland Raiders signed him to the practice squad.
In an interview with NFL Draft Diamonds, Manhart said his biggest asset is, “my ability to run block and move defenders.”
Manhart will look just to survive the offseason with the Steelers and hope to make it into a camp. He is the second outsider lineman signed to a futures deal, joining Brian Mihalik, who will look to convert from defensive end. B.J. Finney, Chris Hubbard, and Cody Wallace are all backup center/guards currently under contract. Ramon Foster and Doug Legursky are scheduled to be free agents, though of course, the hope is Foster returns.
