As one of the players attending on a tryout basis and without a contract, Marquis Williams had no guarantee he will be back with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the conclusion of rookie minicamp Sunday.
Williams, apparently, wants to make the most of the time he has available. And he might be making a strong enough impression he will have many more days at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
“I was here at 5:03 a.m. this morning,” Williams said Friday after the first group on-field session of the camp concluded. “I was just sitting inside the special teams coach’s office, first one here. And last night, I was the last one to leave.
“I just want to show that I am determined, and I want to be here.”
Williams already has spent six years working out at the facility but on the opposite side as a cornerback for Pitt. Though he was a four-year starter for mostly strong Panthers teams and defenses, Williams’ 5-foot-8, 176-pound stature likely played a big role in him not getting drafted.
Still, Williams believes he can show enough this weekend to earn a spot on the 90-man training camp roster.
“The urgency (is what he shows), running on and off the field, the urgency, the communication, the communication with your teammates on and off the field, the extra meeting times inside the rooms with the coaches,” Williams said.
“You get in the door by playing special teams in the NFL at the next level. … I think I can help contribute to this organization on special teams.”
Dukes’ Powell stands out
Duquesne product Darryl Powell is also at rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, but unlike Williams it is not size that prevented him from getting drafted.
Standing 6-3, Powell looks like he would not be overmatched by the pro game.
“I feel like I fit in,” Powell said after Friday’s walkthrough-style practice. “I’ve just got to get more adjusted, get in the playbook a little more. I had one (missed assignment), but we are gonna work at it. We’ve got three days to work on it, so we are gonna get after it.”
Powell was first-team all-Northeast Conference selection for Duquesne last season. He ranked sixth nationally at the FCS level with a 21.0 yards-per-catch average, and his nine receiving touchdowns tied for ninth in FCS.
Last season was Powell’s only year with the Dukes after he spent four years at Bethune Cookman.
Irish eyes are smiling
this is kicker Mark Jackson after the 1st day of Steelers rookie minicamp
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 10, 2024
I don’t even know what he said here but I could just listen to the harmonious tones of an Irish accent all day pic.twitter.com/EiKoCgrASF
Throughout Mark Jackson’s life, he’s had to wake up in the middle of the night to watch NFL football.
An Irishman, Jackson never could have imagined one day having an opportunity to take part in a practice with an NFL team.
“When you are a kid growing up in Ireland, the NFL is the farthest thing from your dreams,” said Jackson, a kicker at rookie camp on a tryout invitation.
“You could say it’s a dream, but you don’t even dream that big really. So, no, it wasn’t something that was in my head. But I am just glad to be here and grateful for the opportunity.”
Jackson, 25, is one of the top Gaelic football players in his native land.
