Learn more about wide receiver Roman Wilson in this edition of Five Fast Facts.
1. The Steelers selected the Michigan wide receiver in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the 84th overall pick. Wilson played in 46 career games, finishing his career with 107 receptions for 1,707 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 2023 he appeared in 15 games, finishing with career highs with 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns.
2. Wilson has a chip on his shoulder following the draft, after watching over a dozen receivers selected ahead of him.
"I was pretty upset just watching receiver after receiver get drafted," said Wilson. "I was angry. I'm ready to get to work. I'm happy to be here.
"But I was ticked off. I have a big chip on my shoulder, and I am going to make it work for me."
3. Wilson grew up in Maui, Hawaii, but attended St. Louis School on the island of Oahu. In order to initially get to school, he had to fly daily from one island to the other, making a sacrifice not many high school athletes make. He eventually stayed with a family in Oahu, and family members even moved there for a time to be with him and help him.
"I had an opportunity and I felt like that was my only opportunity," said Wilson. "If I wanted to pursue this career, I felt like that was my best chance. It was kind of a long shot, but at the time I felt like I was my only shot, so I had to.
"I used to get up at four in the morning, get on the plane for standby, fly over to the island, get on the public bus to go to school. I did that for close to a month.
"I was burnt out. I was flying a lot. There was a lot going on. But it worked out."
4. St. Louis School produced former and current Steelers players, including Chris Fuamatu Ma'afala, Tyson Alualu, and Nate and Nick Herbig, as well as other NFL players like Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa. Wilson and Nick Herbig were high school teammates and now Steelers teammates.
"We were in the same grade, same age, we played ball together. Nick, I know him very well," said Wilson. "When I went to high school with him, we kind of grew up together a little bit. So, that's my guy. I never thought I would be on the same team as him in the NFL."
5. Wilson is a shoe guy. Or should I say, Crocs guy. Wilson regularly wears Crocs, and he even signed an NIL deal while attending Michigan with the shoe brand.
