7.230 Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy

[JackLambert58]

Gonna be rooting for this kid for sure!

Go Navy!
Go Steelers!
Go Eli!

[swissvale72]

Gonna be rooting for this kid for sure!

Go Navy!
Go Steelers!
Go Eli!

We all loved that, 58....you more than any of us,,I'm sure!!! It was awesome!!

[R_S]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

[sowhat]

it was so loud and emotional when this kid got drafted. the place went crazy. he came into the crowd for quite awhile interacting with fans. it was awesome

[zeke5123]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

He had a really good combine. He seems to have legit NFL athleticism. He produced in a challenging offense. I could see him as a solid 3rd down back.

[jebrick]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

He is going to make the 53 and impress. He is McCaffrey-lite in talent. His knock is that he went to Navy.

[SteelerDayTrader]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

[Steelperch]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

The bigger concern is the fact that he already had agreed to go to a different team as an undrafted free agent. Where the hell are the Steelers with the UDFA class? And how do they let a local Yinzer kid agreed to go somewhere else. I’m sure he would’ve gladly stayed here or had they bothered to call.

[SteelerDayTrader]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

The bigger concern is the fact that he already had agreed to go to a different team as an undrafted free agent. Where the hell are the Steelers with the UDFA class? And how do they let a local Yinzer kid agreed to go somewhere else. I’m sure he would’ve gladly stayed here or had they bothered to call.

[Jobu]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

This is what A2s Steelers have become.

[SteelerDayTrader]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

This is what A2s Steelers have become.

[bradshaw2ben]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

Let’s put it this way: he’s a better prospect that Kaleb Johnson as a RB and a better prospect than Roman Wilson as a WR. He’s also a 4-unit STs player. It would surprise me if he’s the captain of STs.

[Jobu]

So do these military academy guys no longer have a service commitment after graduation?

[sowhat]

name a better prospect at that selection
name a more productive player that was still available
name a better character guy that was available
name a better 'feel good' player at that spot
how many players selected in that round actually make the ps or 53?
i was there . the crowd loved it . the kid had a dream come true and actually displayed the emotions.
it was an extremely emotional and patriotic moment.
class act by the kid , rooneys and draft attendees.
it was the best received selection we made.

[Stillerz Bar]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

The bigger concern is the fact that he already had agreed to go to a different team as an undrafted free agent. Where the hell are the Steelers with the UDFA class? And how do they let a local Yinzer kid agreed to go somewhere else. I’m sure he would’ve gladly stayed here or had they bothered to call.

No need to talk to him about being a UDFA if they intended to draft him if he was still available. If he was already taken, still no need to talk to him.

[R_S]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

Let’s put it this way: he’s a better prospect that Kaleb Johnson as a RB and a better prospect than Roman Wilson as a WR. He’s also a 4-unit STs player. It would surprise me if he’s the captain of STs.

Sounds good to me. Some racism was coming out. I was thinking ham-n-egger ala STD

[anpsteel]

So do these military academy guys no longer have a service commitment after graduation?

They are allowed to postpone their service commitment until after they are done playing.

I don’t know if there is a limit limit on that postponement

[Thrillsseeker]

So do these military academy guys no longer have a service commitment after graduation?

Heard the desk of talking heads speaking about this topic and it was mentioned that some laws or amendment had been passed that would allow cadets be able to play professional sports that they were picked up. I believe the stipulation was something like they have to recruit. Wasn’t sure if it was during playing or after playing days.


Looked it up:
…. recent changes to the National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) allow a limited number of service academy athletes to pursue professional sports immediately, rather than serving full-time active duty first. Current policy enables up to three (and soon up to five) graduates annually to request a waiver to play professionally, provided they enter the reserves and complete their service obligation later.

Key Policy Changes and Details:
• 2019 Reversal: A policy change allowed academy athletes to defer their active-duty service for professional opportunities.
• 2022 Restrictions: A December 2022, law initially required a mandatory two-year active duty period, reversing the 2019 policy.
• "Grandfather" Clause: The 2022 law was modified to allow athletes enrolled before June 1, 2021, to be exempt, allowing them to apply for immediate, active-duty waivers.
• Current/Future Policy: Recent discussions and proposed rules in the FY2026 NDAA allow up to 3 (and possibly up to 5) academy graduates, such as those from Navy, to defer active service and enter professional leagues immediately.
• Obligation: These athletes still owe their full service obligation, which must be fulfilled through later active duty or reserve recruitment efforts after their pro careers end.

[Jobu]

So do these military academy guys no longer have a service commitment after graduation?

They are allowed to postpone their service commitment until after they are done playing.

I don’t know if there is a limit limit on that postponement

Thanks. I didn’t know what the deal was now. I’m old enough to remember Roger Staubach!

[Thrillsseeker]

name a better prospect at that selection
name a more productive player that was still available
name a better character guy that was available
name a better 'feel good' player at that spot
how many players selected in that round actually make the ps or 53?
i was there . the crowd loved it . the kid had a dream come true and actually displayed the emotions.
it was an extremely emotional and patriotic moment.
class act by the kid , rooneys and draft attendees.
it was the best received selection we made.

Was cool to watch. I’m sure even better in person. Kyle Brandt was stoked for the kid. Mentioned he was his favorite player in the entire draft. I was hoping he’d elaborate since I know nothing about him.

[Thrillsseeker]

Gonna be rooting for this kid for sure!

Go Navy!
Go Steelers!
Go Eli!

We all loved that, 58....you more than any of us,,I'm sure!!! It was awesome!!

Jack, you a Navy vet?

[beerbrother]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

Let’s put it this way: he’s a better prospect that Kaleb Johnson as a RB and a better prospect than Roman Wilson as a WR. He’s also a 4-unit STs player. It would surprise me if he’s the captain of STs.

Did no one watch the pre draft podcast?

B2B not only discussed the prospect of drafting him

He had him on the show.

Seems like a good kid and hard worker.

Thanks @bradshaw2ben I appreciate the effort you put into this site.

[JackLambert58]

Gonna be rooting for this kid for sure!

Go Navy!
Go Steelers!
Go Eli!

We all loved that, 58....you more than any of us,,I'm sure!!! It was awesome!!

Jack, you a Navy vet?

Retired Chief Petty Officer 1980-2000. DKC(SW)

[AirRescueFF]

Very happy for him. Hope he sticks.


Go Navy!

[Thrillsseeker]

We all loved that, 58....you more than any of us,,I'm sure!!! It was awesome!!

Jack, you a Navy vet?

Retired Chief Petty Officer 1980-2000. DKC(SW)

Awesome man. Thank you very much for your service.

[JackLambert58]

Jack, you a Navy vet?

Retired Chief Petty Officer 1980-2000. DKC(SW)

Awesome man. Thank you very much for your service.

Appreciate that Thrillseeker.

[jebrick]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

Let’s put it this way: he’s a better prospect that Kaleb Johnson as a RB and a better prospect than Roman Wilson as a WR. He’s also a 4-unit STs player. It would surprise me if he’s the captain of STs.

Worst case scenario, we get the best 3rd down back in the NFL.

[SteelerDayTrader]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

Let’s put it this way: he’s a better prospect that Kaleb Johnson as a RB and a better prospect than Roman Wilson as a WR. He’s also a 4-unit STs player. It would surprise me if he’s the captain of STs.

Worst case scenario, we get the best 3rd down back in the NFL.

[bradshaw2ben]

No offense but was this just a good PR move by the Steelers? Kinda a throwaway pick to get some attention and warm feelings?

Let’s put it this way: he’s a better prospect that Kaleb Johnson as a RB and a better prospect than Roman Wilson as a WR. He’s also a 4-unit STs player. It would surprise me if he’s the captain of STs.

Did no one watch the pre draft podcast?

B2B not only discussed the prospect of drafting him

He had him on the show.

Seems like a good kid and hard worker.

Thanks @bradshaw2ben I appreciate the effort you put into this site.

I drafted him in the board mock too

[beerbrother]

Let’s put it this way: he’s a better prospect that Kaleb Johnson as a RB and a better prospect than Roman Wilson as a WR. He’s also a 4-unit STs player. It would surprise me if he’s the captain of STs.

Did no one watch the pre draft podcast?

B2B not only discussed the prospect of drafting him

He had him on the show.

Seems like a good kid and hard worker.

Thanks @bradshaw2ben I appreciate the effort you put into this site.

I drafted him in the board mock too

He is an intriguing player.

Should be an asset for special teams and McCarthy is big on positional flexibility.

If he can protect the QB could see him as a good option on 3rd down.