The Steelers have signed two of their selections in the 2013 NFL Draft, third-round pick, wide receiver Markus Wheatonand fifth-round pick, cornerback Terry Hawthorne. Financial terms of the four-year deals were not disclosed.
Wheaton (5-11, 182), who was the 79th overall pick, played collegiately at Oregon State University. He appeared in 49 games, starting the final 30, and recorded a school-record 227 receptions. Wheaton ranks third on the school's all-time receiving yards list (2,994) and sixth on the school's all-time receiving touchdowns list (16). Wheaton earned numerous accolades his senior season, as he was named first-team All-Pac 12 Conference and second-team All-America by the NFL Draft Report.
Hawthorne (6-0, 195) who was the 150th overall selection, played collegiately at the University of Illinois. The two-time All Big-Ten honorable mention (2011-12) saw action in 44 career games, making 26 starts. He recorded 163 tackles, 12.5 TFLs and six interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns. In 2009, Hawthorne earned All Big-Ten Freshman honors from The Sporting News.
The Steelers have now signed four of their nine selections from the 2013 NFL Draft.
