Video clip of Cory Trice Jr. at Steelers OTAs is a sight for sore eyes

Early at Steelers OTAs, fans are excited to see new roster additions suiting up in black and gold for the first time. The media is busy posting videos of new quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields slinging the football during Organized Team Activities.

Fans are also going crazy about new linebacker Patrick Queen and anything that has to do with the 2024 draft class. But one player I am overjoyed to see back on the field is Cory Trice Jr.

On May 22nd, Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now posted a video on 'X' of Trice working on Day 2 of Steelers OTAs.

Trice, a former seventh-round draft pick in 2023, is seldom talked about, but his presence and movement on the field are a sight for sore eyes.

Early in training camp last year, Trice went to the ground with a non-contact knee injury. It was later determined that he had suffered a torn ACL. This ended his rookie season before it ever started.
Unfortunately, this wasn't the first ACL injury Trice had suffered. During his college career at Purdue, Trice had his season cut short twice due to season-ending injuries.

So why get excited about a former seventh-round draft choice with a lengthy injury history?

If not for the injuries, Trice would have been a Day 2 draft prospect. His blend of size, athletic traits, and tape would have gotten him drafted high and he could have declared for the draft earlier. At 6'3'' and 206 pounds with 32 3/8'' arms, Trice has the prototype size for a boundary cornerback to go with 4.47 speed.

Trice also showcased amazing quickness and impressive ball skills. He earned 5 interceptions at Purdue (2 during his final season) to go with 10 passes defended in 2022. Even after an array of injuries in college, he tested as a 96th percentile athlete, per RAS.football, with outstanding numbers in the 20-yard shuttle (4.06) and 3-cone drill (6.70).

With one more major injury added to his body that has already been through a lot, it's hard to say how Trice will look. Currently, he is not medically cleared for contact, but this is irrelevant for Steelers OTAs. He is expected to be fully cleared from ACL rehab by training camp later in the summer.

The Steelers admitted that they are not counting on Trice, but that they love his upside. With no significant moves made at the cornerback position (outside of trading for Donte Jackson), Trice will have an opportunity to carve out a role with Pittsburgh in 2024 and prove doubters wrong.

His participation during Steelers OTAs is an excellent sign of his progress. Cory Trice Jr. has elite physical tools, but an uphill battle ahead. Now it's time to see if he can earn his keep.