Steelers to Try Out Massive Hawaiian Offensive Lineman
The Pittsburgh Steelers have invited massive Hawaiian offensive lineman Gareth Warren to participate in the team's rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, the Lindenwood football program announced on Thursday.
Warren is a 6-foot-5 1/2, 328-pound offensive lineman from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii who started at Lindenwood, which is in Lake Charles, Missouri, in 2021, the program's final season at the NCAA Division II level. In 2022, Warren and Lindenwood moved up, becoming members of the Ohio Valley Conference.
Advertisement
Warren made four starts and played six games as a true freshman in 2021, earning All-GLVC third-team honors. In 2022, he started all 10 games at left guard and was an All-OVC second-team selection.
For his junior season in 2023, Warren switched from left guard out to left tackle. The transition was a smooth one, as he allowed just two sacks on the season, per Pro Football Focus.
In 2024, Warren and the Lions offensive line helped pave the way for an OVC-best 173.7 yards per game. After the season, he was invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he was first scouted by the Steelers.
Gareth Warren, East-West Shrine Bowl
Warren showed solid testing numbers in the pre-draft process, posting a 7.10 Relative Athletic Score out of 10, boosted by a 30-inch vertical and a 9-foot-2 broad jump.
Advertisement
Warren's flexibility as a guard or tackle could help him at the next level.The Steelers will invite a number of players to tryouts for their three-day rookie minicamp, which will be held the second weekend of May at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Over the last few seasons, the Steelers have typically signed one or two players to contracts from rookie camp invitees. Among the team's rookie camp tryout successes have been quarterback Devlin Hodges in 2019. Last year, vets Anthony Averett and Jonathan Ward made the team after trying out at rookie camp.
Warren is the 12th player to be revealed as a tryout, joining Pitt outside linebacker Nate Matlack, Rhode Island RB/WR Tommy Smith, William & Mary (Penn Hills) QB/WR Hollis Mathis, New Hampshire (Mt. Lebanon) quarterback Seth Morgan, Central Michigan (Thomas Jefferson) center Dom Serapiglia, Slippery Rock defensive back Eddie Faulkner IV, James Madison wide receiver Omarion Dollison, Notre Dame special teamer Max Hurleman, South Carolina linebacker Debo Williams and Arkansas safety Jayden Johnson.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers to Try Out Massive Hawaiian Offensive Lineman
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
27 minutes ago
- USA Today
Nolan Smith earns national nod as under-the-radar Eagles star worth watching
Nolan Smith earns national nod as under-the-radar Eagles star worth watching Nolan Smith lands on a list of NFL rising stars as the excitement for his third year keeps building. This country has become, in some ways, a microwave society. No one wants to wait for anything. No one has any patience. People want results, and they want them faster than they once did. Sports only fuel that, especially among one of the NFL's most passionate (and notoriously zany fan bases), one belonging to the Philadelphia Eagles. Nolan Smith was the 30th player taken during Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent most of his time playing on special teams as a rookie. Much of the reason for that was that he sat behind Haason Reddick on the depth chart, who, at that time, was still playing at an elite level. No one cared about that. 'Nolan Smith is a bust.' That was an opinion shared by much of the Eagles contingent. Remember... This is a microwave society. But a chain reaction occurred. Philadelphia hired Vic Fangio as its defensive coordinator. Nolan Smith is no longer a secret weapon after his latest national praise Year two for Nolan Smith finally delivered to Birds fans what they had hoped for since the announcement of his selection on April 27, 2023. He had gone from a special-teams player to starting ten of 16 in-game appearances during the regular season. His 188 defensive snaps were roughly 16% of the Eagles' total in 2023. He churned out 546 a season ago, suitable for 55% of the total a year later. The results speak for themselves. During the 2024-25 NFL regular season, Nolan stacked 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. The momentum carried into the playoffs, and he got better, churning out 16 tackles, four sacks, and another forced fumble. His four sacks and four tackles for loss both led all players in the postseason. Nolan started every game of Philadelphia's march to Super Bowl glory. Now comes the question. What does he do for an encore? CBS Sports' Garrett Podell is expecting more fireworks. Smith was named as the one player from the Eagles' roster who could make a surprising impact. "Smith flashed in the 2024 playoffs, co-leading the league in sacks (4) while ranking second in quarterback pressures (19) behind only Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (22)... Following edge rusher Josh Sweat's departure to the Arizona Cardinals and edge rusher Brandon Graham's retirement, Smith is an unquestioned starter for the first time entering his third NFL season. He now has a chance to transform from a player with tantalizing potential to a real star in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme in 2025." It's hard to disagree with the sentiment. Vic Fangio has unlocked something. There's a lot of talent here. Might Coach Fangio find more ways to deploy him? Eagles legend Brandon Graham offered some brotherly advice. Nolan took it to heart. He has made the most of an expanded role. Let this be a lesson to those of you who were a little impatient. Quarterbacks aren't the only players who need reps and a little patience.
USA Today
27 minutes ago
- USA Today
Tennessee Titans' $9 million signing dubbed one NFL offseason's best moves
Tennessee Titans' $9 million signing dubbed one NFL offseason's best moves With the expectation of an incoming rookie quarterback, the Tennessee Titans made an emphasis on improving the offensive line. While the splash move in free agency was signing left tackle Dan Moore Jr. to a four-year, $82 million deal, that was a move that has been largely questioned considering the amount of money the Titans gave to the 26-year-old. In contrast, one of their more under-the-radar moves was signing veteran guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal in free agency. When looking at the 25 best offseason moves across the NFL, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report ranked that signing at No. 21. The Tennessee Titans were a mess on the offensive line last year, and with everyone expecting Tennessee to draft Cam Ward first overall the team had to improve the protection in front of him. It can be argued (and has been) that the team overpaid offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr, but veteran guard Kevin Zeitler was another story--$9 million over one season for a reliable (if aging) lineman was a bargain. Zeitler has been an underrated asset wherever he's been, and he had another exceptional season with the Detroit Lions during the 2025 campaign. Though the 35-year-old allowed 5.0 sacks, he only allowed 18 total pressures on 577 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. The Titans' offensive line will be a major key in the development of their young quarterback, and having Zeitler manning the right guard position should give Tennessee upgraded production from that spot.
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
NFL fans have another reason to love Saquon Barkley after recent GMA appearance
NFL fans have another reason to love Saquon Barkley after recent GMA appearance Saquon Barkley's humility continues to make headlines in the best way possible. Attitudes say a lot. They're a reflection of the person who demonstrates them, but they're also a reflection of upbringing, status, and leadership. It's easy to love the Philadelphia Eagles because there have long been so many colorful characters who have character. That's much of the reason why we'll miss Brandon Graham. Philadelphia is in good hands, though, as Graham left the organization with a younger brother of sorts in the form of Nolan Smith. He's oozing with personality, and fans will continue to love getting to know him. Another of the fan favorites is a veteran who is four years the Philly Dawg's senior. If you missed Saquon Barkley's recent appearance on Good Morning America, you certainly robbed yourself of a treat. Saquon Barkley further ingratiates himself with Eagles fans and the NFL community. Live long enough, and people will travel in and out of your life. Some people show up to stay, and some show up who will, at some point, leave. Sometimes, hurt feelings and bad days lead to falling out. Oftentimes, the good news is that many of those relationships can be repaired. The Eagles' rivalry with the New York Giants isn't one of those repairable relationships. These two mortal enemies have participated in a feud that dates back to 1933. Saquon's defection from Gotham to the City of Brotherly Love didn't help ease any of the tension. Still, recently, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year made an appearance on Good Morning America. Perhaps you have heard. A former Giants legend, Michael Strahan, is one of the hosts. We live in a world where stars exalt themselves. Sometimes, fans don't help in that regard. They overhype men and women who put their pants on one leg at a time, like the rest of us. There's also another contingent. Some people haven't accomplished much but are cruel and arrogant without having any real reason. Seriously, what's their problem? Saquon is a breath of fresh air, a star who brings dignity and humility to every interaction and encounter with grace and compassion. Despite reaching star status, he gives us hope. Saquon teaches us every time we see him that there are good people in high places. Strahan is right. The Birds and G-Men may never get along, but if Big Blue's fans are being honest, they miss Saquon. He's someone worth cheering for, but Eagles fans are used to that. Remember... Characters who have character...
