Monday, February 24, 2025, 5:16PM |  47°
MENU
Advertisement
Steelers rookie cornerback Justin Layne goes through drills during rookie camp Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
1
MORE

'Ball skills are there' for rookie Steelers cornerback Justin Layne

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

'Ball skills are there' for rookie Steelers cornerback Justin Layne

When Justin Layne was a freshman at Michigan State, way back in the dark ages of 2016, there was no NCAA transfer portal. If there had been, perhaps the 6-foot-3, four-star wide receiver recruit who’s now a Steeler would’ve balked at changing positions. Perhaps he would’ve looked elsewhere for a coach who wanted to keep him on offense.

He’s glad he didn’t.

“I wasn’t in favor of it at first,” Layne said matter-of-factly, then laughed. “But it worked out, so I’m in favor of it right now.”

Advertisement

Easy to say when you’re a third-round NFL draft pick who could feature prominently into the Steelers cornerback plans for the foreseeable future. Layne, a three-year starter at Michigan State, is the highest cornerback selection by the Steelers since Artie Burns went in the first round in 2016. The same Artie Burns whose future is in grave danger — is there any other kind — now that he has had the fifth-year option of his contract declined.

Pittsburgh Steelers Isaiah Buggs goes through drills during rookie camp Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Pittsburgh.
Ray Fittipaldo
Steelers rookie Isaiah Buggs looking to seize opportunity on depleted defensive line

So, what to make of Layne, a wiry prospect with perhaps the most intriguing development curve of any Steelers rookie? Logically, you’d assume a converted wide receiver would have better hands than the average defensive back. In reality, Layne notched just three interceptions in his three-year college career, a tidy one pick per season. The Steelers, you might be able to cite off-hand, amassed only eight interceptions as a defense in 2018.

“I mean, I always hope I can help wherever I can,” Layne said Friday after the first day of rookie minicamp. “I don’t want to say I’m going to come in and do whatever, but I definitely want to try to help in that area.”

Given the inherent confidence of any 21-year-old who has been a touted high school player, a Big Ten starter and a top-100 draft pick, Layne thought for a few moments when asked what was the primary concern surrounding him in his NFL evaluation.

Advertisement

“Biggest question? Um, I’d probably say [that] I didn’t have that many touches on the ball, as far as interceptions,” Layne said. “I’d say that’s the main thing.”

And why was that?

“Because I was breaking it up,” Layne replied. “That’s the main thing.”

Indeed, Layne’s 15 pass breakups a season ago tied him for first in the Big Ten and 10th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. His position coach at Michigan State, Paul Haynes, didn’t seem too concerned about the lack of takeaways.

Mike Tomlin has two years remaining on his contract as head coach of the Steelers.
Paul Zeise
Paul Zeise: A Mike Tomlin extension might not be the Steelers' smartest move

If you build it — er, put yourself in the right position — they will come.

“There’s no doubt that the ball skills are there and he can make plays,” Haynes said. “He started out at wideout, and he definitely had some of the better hands on the team. A lot of times, they didn’t throw his way, so all that plays a factor in getting a bunch of interceptions and all that type of stuff, too.”

According to Haynes, Layne’s snap count was among the highest in the conference — “We never took him out,” he noted — which speaks to his toughness and willingness to compete. Eventually embracing his full-time switch to defense would seem to indicate that, too, but Layne’s time at Michigan State ended strangely.

Layne, focused on his professional future, decided not to play in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon. Spartans coach Mark Dantonio called it “disappointing” at the time, but Layne said NFL teams didn’t question him about it in the pre-draft process.

“I think it was surprising,” Haynes admitted. “But I think he kind of got caught in a different situation with a lot of people pulling at him in a lot of different directions.”

Haynes, who coached Layne for one season, called him “sneaky funny” in addition to being a hard worker. It was commonplace for Layne to make an “off the wall” remark that would have the entire secondary group laughing, and Haynes wondering what he missed.

“They’re going to love him,” Haynes said, “because he has an unbelievable personality. He’s funny, he’s fun, he was fun to coach. I told everybody, you can get after him, you can coach him hard, but I think the Steeler nation is just going to love his personality.

“I kind of have a way-back relationship with Mike [Tomlin], and Mike’s still a players’ coach type of guy. He’ll love Justin, and the DB coach will love Justin.”

They’ll love him even more if he can play the deep ball as well as he played the long game.

“I figured there’s a lot of 6-2, 6-3 receivers,” Layne said, “but there’s not a lot of 6-2, 6-3 cornerbacks that can move like me. So, I was just trying to think about my future, for the most part.”

Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko.

First Published: May 11, 2019, 5:35 p.m.

RELATED
Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr goes through drills during rookie camp Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Pittsburgh.
Ray Fittipaldo
Benny Snell football could be coming soon to the Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers No. 1 draft pick Devin Bush goes through drills during rookie camp Friday, May. 10, 2019, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Pittsburgh.
Gerry Dulac
Devin Bush quickly gets to leading Steelers defense
Steelers safety P.J. Locke goes through drills during rookie camp Friday, May. 10, 2019, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Pittsburgh.
Brian Batko
Safety help: Rookie free agents Dravon Askew-Henry, P.J. Locke could stick with Steelers
Steelers linebacker Sutton Smith goes through drills during rookie camp Friday, May. 10, 2019, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Pittsburgh.
Ray Fittipaldo
Sutton Smith out to prove quickness, not size, is key to rushing the passer in NFL
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
President Donald Trump speaks at the Governors Working Session in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Feb. 21, 2025.
1
opinion
Bruce Ledewitz: The Supreme Court will step up and Trump will back down
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden catches a pass against Ohio State during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
2
sports
Which positions are strong and weak at NFL combine? And how will Steelers approach this draft?
La Grassa Pizza is now offering four-cut, late-night pies at The Vandal on Saturday nights.
3
life
Pittsburgh pizza news: La Grassa’s late-night pies and a big win for Mercurio’s
Two adults and a child were killed in a fire in Kittanning on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.
4
local
2 adults, child killed in Kittanning fire
Pirates first-round pick Konnor Griffin hits against the Twins at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
5
sports
Pirates top pick Konnor Griffin has raised eyebrows at spring training. Next step is learning to be a pro
Steelers rookie cornerback Justin Layne goes through drills during rookie camp Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.  (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story