Pittsburgh Steelers sign Paso Robles grad
Mitchell Van Dyk, a 2009 graduate of Paso Robles High School.
The Pittsburgh Steelers added a Paso Robles High School graduate to its offseason roster last week with the addition of seventh round pick offensive tackle Mitchell Van Dyk, according to Behind The Steel Curtain.
The Rams originally drafted the 6-foot-7, 318-pound Portland State (FCS) product with the 226th overall pick, the report says.
“Without digging into too much scouting jargon, the rap on Van Dyk is he’s a badass,” the report says. “Perhaps not the most talented player at his position, he’s described as tough and scrappy, and Nolan Nawrocki suggested in his scouting report he’s ideally suited for a zone blocking scheme,” the report says.
Mitchell Van Dyk, a 2009 Paso Robles High School graduate, was picked in the seventh round of the National Football League draft by the St. Louis Rams in May of last year. He spent three seasons as the starting right tackle for Portland State and led a dynamic offense that broke records for rushing and total offense. Van Dyk was the 226th pick of the 2014 draft.
Last February he competed in front of professional scouts in the College All-Star Bowl on the campus of Furman University in Greenville, S.C. “I’ve played college football for five years, and it was fun making my mark and leaving my legacy,” he told the Paso Robles Daily News before the game. “It’s an accomplishment enough to play in an all-star game. My grandparents, brothers, relatives and friends are all really proud of me. It’s nice how they’ve always been by my side to see me achieve on the field.”
Van Dyk was a three-year starter at Portland State University and named first-team All-Big Sky as an offensive tackle in 2013. This past season, PSU boasted the third-most productive offense at the Football Championship Subdivision level. He anchored an offensive line that helped set school records in total yards (6,486), rushing yards (3,330), rushing average (277.7 per game), total offense (540.5 per game), and rushing touchdowns (36).
