[url]http://www.examiner.com/article/steelers-grab-local-talent-paul-lang-add-kevin-anderson-to-roster[/url]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been active during organized training activities over the last two weeks, continuing to sign players to their roster while adjusting the 90-man personnel that will be present when training camp begins on July 29. On Tuesday, the Steelers continued a tradition of bringing in local talent by signing undrafted rookie free agent Paul Lang, a Pittsburgh native, former Mt. Lebanon (Pennsylvania) prep and tight end at Michigan State. The Steelers also signed linebacker Kevin Anderson (Stanford) while releasing Jay Rome and Tyriq McCord.
Tight end Paul Lang joins the Pittsburgh Steelers after a career at Michigan State and prep years at Mt. Lebanon High (Pittsburgh, PA)
Lang, at 6-feet-5 and 260 pounds, was a four-year letter winner that saw action in 50 games, including 15 starts at Michigan State. With 15 career catches for 136 yards, Lang was used primarily as a blocker at the end of the line. Lang leveraged his size in the Big Ten to help spring Spartans running backs and receivers while adding 11 receptions for 129 yards in 2015 (an 11.7-yard average) due to nice hands.
At Michigan State's Pro Day on March 16, Lang pressed 19 reps of 225 pounds and recorded a 34 1/2-inch vertical jump. At the event, Lang told Mike Brudenell of the Detroit Free Press, "I thought the day went well...personally, I'm happy with how it went. I caught every ball thrown in my area [from quarterback Connor Cook]." Lang ran the 40-, 20- and 10-yard dash in 5.09, 2.91 and 1.82 seconds respectively. His 20-yard shuttle time was 4.53 seconds.
One of only 22 Spartans in program history to earn Academic All-Big Ten honors four times, Lang was MSU's recipient of the Cotton Bowl Classic's Scholar-Athlete Award. Lang also received the President's Award (Senior Lineman/Senior Back Perseverence: Offense) at the team's banquet.
Anderson, a 6-foot-4, 240 pound outside linebacker was signed as a rookie free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He was released a few weeks later. Anderson, who fits best in a 3-4 defensive scheme, was not invited to the NFL Combine but had a decent Pro Day with the Stanford Cardinals. Anderson posted a 4.80 in the 40-yard dash and 4.34 20-yard shuttle time. Anderson did not record a bench press score due to a pectoral injury.
Anderson, a fifth-year senior in 2015, played in ten games and recorded 40 tackles (8.5 for a loss) and two sacks. He was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention, Phil Steele All-Pac 12 third team, Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention, and was on both the Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists. For his career, Anderson recorded 124 tackles and 11 sacks.
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Originally Posted by SteelCrazy
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