PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (KTRK) — Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, and Joe Mixon are set to start in the Houston Texans’ second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh.
Hunter recently signed a two-year, $49 million free agent contract to play at NRG Stadium, located just 29 miles from his alma mater, Katy’s Morton Ranch High School.
The Texans have a tradition of adding local talent to their roster. Jalen Pitre from Stafford High School, along with the Houston Cougars’ Case Keenum and Tank Dell, are among those who’ve kept their talents close to home.
ABC13 took a look at the Steelers’ roster to see if there were any homegrown Texas players. Given that Texas is a football powerhouse, it’s no surprise that some Lone Star State players have made their way to Pittsburgh.
It seems that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has a particular fondness for the Golden Triangle area, which includes Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange, as well as southeast Texas in general.
From ‘Golden’ to black and yellow
Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (No. 50) stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Dec. 7, 2023.
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Four Steelers players—three on defense and one on offense—hail from far southeast Texas.
Defensive backs Grayland Arnold and Kalon Barnes both come from the Triangle and also played for the Baylor Bears. Arnold, who wears No. 35, is from Beaumont and attended Kountze High School. He previously played in 20 games for the Texans from 2021 to 2023. Barnes, nicknamed “Boogie” and sporting No. 31, went to Silsbee High School.
Another Beaumont native, Dan Moore Jr., plays as an offensive tackle for the Steelers, wearing No. 65. He attended West Brook Senior High School before playing at Texas A&M. Moore holds the distinction of being the first Steelers rookie to start at left tackle since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
Elandon Roberts, wearing No. 50, is a nine-year NFL veteran who started at Port Arthur Memorial High School before attending Morgan State and the University of Houston. Drafted by New England in 2016, Roberts has won two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots.
One kickin’ Owl
Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (No. 9) watches a successful field goal attempt during an NFL football game on Nov. 12, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
AP Photo/Matt Durisko
Chris Boswell, who has spent most of his 10-year career with the Steelers, first entered the NFL with the Texans in 2014 as an undrafted free agent after attending Rice University. Though he briefly tried out with the New York Giants, Boswell found his home in Pittsburgh in 2015. He has since become the Steelers’ go-to player on special teams, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2017 and even credit for a touchdown pass in 2018.
Spring’s own
Steelers center Ryan McCollum (No. 62) during an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills in Pittsburgh on Aug. 20, 2023.
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Texas A&M is represented on the Steelers’ offensive line by both Dan Moore Jr. and center Ryan McCollum. McCollum, a Klein Oak High School alumnus, joined the Steelers after being picked up on the waiver wire from Detroit in 2022. Before his time with the Lions and Steelers, McCollum signed with the Texans’ practice squad in 2020. During his high school years, he earned first-team All-District 15-6A and All-Greater Houston honors and was recruited by Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, and Houston.
And just in case you didn’t know, Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is the brother of Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt. Thought you might want to know!
