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Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin loves drafting players out of Michigan
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Two former Michigan Wolverines are headed to Pittsburgh to kickoff their NFL careers, with former linebacker Devin Bush (No. 10) and tight end Zach Gentry (No. 141) both getting drafted by the Steelers.
With 32 teams in the draft, it can be very unlikely for teammates to be selected by the same NFL team. But the Steelers’ decision to draft a pair of players from Michigan was actually by design. Why? Head coach Mike Tomlin loves selected players out of Ann Arbor.
In a recent interview on the Rich Eisen Show, Tomlin explained why he loves those Michigan players.
“You just get that feeling when you walk into Schembechler Hall and see The Big House in the background, and it lets you know you’re in the right place,” Tomlin told Eisen.
“Certain kids are attracted to programs — like Michigan — that have a history, tradition and legacy that is centered around core values and football. The aspects that bring those young men to a place like U-M attract other young men who see that.”
Michigan has produced an NFL Draft pick for 81 straight years, a draft record. As long as Tomlin is a head coach in the league, that streak is likely to continue.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB