The Steelers selected Washington linebacker Carson Bruener in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 226th overall pick.
"This is a dream come true," said Bruener. "I am so happy. I got my name called. I got that phone call. It's something special for sure. I can't wait.
"It does not (seem real). I am sitting in the same spot my dad got drafted in 30 years ago at our cabin. The same exact spot. It's a full circle moment. It's crazy."
Bruener, who is the son of former Steelers tight end and current scout Mark Bruener, appeared in 52 games at Washington. He finished with 306 tackles, 180 of them solo stops, 10 tackles for a loss, one and a half sacks, 14 passes defensed and four forced fumbles.
Bruener also is a special teams standout, something he knows will benefit at the NFL level.
"Special teams is something I started playing at the University of Washington early in my career and is something I embrace and really fell in love with," said Bruener. "It's something I have been able to do my whole career and excel at. I know that is something I am going to be able to bring to Pittsburgh for sure."
In 2024, Bruener appeared in 13 games, finishing with 104 tackles, including 60 solo stops. He added three interceptions, eight passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Bruener said he didn't know the Steelers would be calling, even though his dad was right there with him after he left Pittsburgh following the first round to be with the family.
"We had no idea. He is with me, and I was able to see where they had me on the draft board," said Bruener. "The biggest thing is just patience is key and seeing where this draft leads. He said I could see the Steelers picking you with the next pick and two seconds later I get a phone call from Pittsburgh. It was a crazy moment."
Take a look at photos of Pittsburgh Steelers seventh-round pick Carson Bruener
Washington linebacker Carson Bruener looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington linebacker Carson Bruener (42) tackles Eastern Michigan running back Dontae McMillan (28) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington State wide receiver Lincoln Victor is tackled by Washington linebacker Carson Bruener during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington linebacker Carson Bruener, left, tackles Colorado quarterback Brendon Lewis in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Washington linebacker Carson Bruener reacts after a play against Southern California during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Oregon running back Bucky Irving is tackled by Washington defensive end Bralen Trice (8) and linebacker Carson Bruener (42) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 36-33. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington linebacker Carson Bruener runs back an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 56-19. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington linebacker Carson Bruener is pictured during an NCAA football game against Arkansas State on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Seattle. Washington won 52-3. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
2023 CSC Academic All-District
2023 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention
*2022 Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll
2022 Pro Football Network All-Pac-12 First Team (Special Teamer)
2022 Preseason All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention*
2021 Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll
Full College Bio:
2024: Voted a captain for the 2024 season ... started all 13 games ... led the team with 103 tackles and with three interceptions ... one fo only two Big Ten players with 100-plus tackles and three-plus interception in 2024 ... named third-team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and the media ... also named to the Fall Academic All-Big Ten team ... five tackles in the win over Weber State ... six tackles, one for a loss, vs. Eastern Michigan ... four tackles, one of them for a loss, and a pass break-up, vs. Washington State ... had six tackles, plus an interception he returned 24 yards, in the win over Northwestern ... led the Huskies with nine tackles and two pass break-ups at Rutgers ... six tackles in the win over No. 10 Michigan ... led UW with eight tackles at Iowa ... notched 11 tackles at Indiana ... 12 tackles and two interceptions in the win over USC ... named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following the USC game ... 11 tackles and a forced fumble at Penn State ... eight tackles in the win over UCLA ... made seven tackles at Oregon ... led all players with 11 tackles in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl vs. Louisville ... won the UW's defensive most valuable player award at the team's postseason banquet.
2023: Honorable mention All-Pac-12 ... also CSC Academic All-District ... played in all 15 games, starting one ... UW's third-leading tackler, with 86 total tackles ... had three tackles and a 33-yard interception in the UW's season-opening win over Boise State... named the coaches' special teams player of the week for the Boise State game ... wo tackles in the win over Tulsa ... six tackles, including half of a tackle for loss, in the win at Michigan State ... made three stops in the win over California ... five tackles in the win at Arizona ... five tackles in the win over No. 8 Oregon ... three tackles and a pass break-up in the win over Arizona State ... had eight tackles, including half of a tackle for loss, and a pass break-up in the win at Stanford ... made five tackles in the win at USC, when he earned the UW coaches' special teams player of the week ... five tackles, including half of a tackle for loss (which resulted in a safety) in the win over No. 18 Utah ... named the UW coaches' special teams player of the week follow the game vs. the Utes ... made 14 tackles – most of the year by a Husky in a single game – and a forced fumble in a start at Oregon State ... named the UW coaches' defensive power co-player of the week after the OSU win ... won that same award for the second week in a row following the win over Washington State ... notched 14 tackles for the second week in a row vs. the Cougars ... two tackles in the Pac-12 Championship Game win over No. 5 Oregon ... named the Special Teams Most Valuable Player at the team's postseason awards banquet.
2022: Played in all 13 games ... fifth on the team with 45 tackles despite not starting ... made four tackles in the season opener vs. Kent State ... two tackles vs. Portland State ... three tackles in the win over No. 11 Michigan State ... had five stops in the win over Stanford ... four tackles, including half a tackle for loss, at UCLA ... had six stops, one for a loss, at Arizona State ... one tackle in the win over Arizona and in the win at California ... five tackles in the win over Oregon State ... had two tackles in the win at Oregon ... notched five stops in the win over Colorado ... made four tackles in the win at Washington State .. four stops in the Alamo Bowl win over Texas ... named the UW coaches' defensive skill player of the week after the wins over Colorado, and the special teams player of the week after the Portland State victory.
2021: Played in 11 games, starting five ... saw his first UW action in the Montana game ... made eight tackles and forced a fumble in the win over Arkansas State ... one stop in the win over Cal ... made seven tackles in the win at Arizona ... made his first college start in the win at Stanford, when he notched 16 tackles, including one-and-a-half sacks and a forced fumble ... named the Pac-12's Defensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week following the Stanford game ... also named the UW coaches' defensive player of hte game ... nine tackles and an interception, which he returned 50 yards, vs. Oregon ... made 14 tackles in a start vs. Arizona State ... six tackles in a start at Colorado ... made 11 tackles, one for a loss, vs. Washington State ... won the Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman Award at the team's postseason banquet.
2020: Did not see any game action during the 2020 season.
