The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings with the 224th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to an April 26 announcement.
The addition of Spears-Jennings is part of the Steelers’ ongoing efforts to strengthen their defensive lineup. The team has a history of honoring its players and achieving success, including six Super Bowl championships and recognition for Hall of Honor inductees, as reported by the official website.
Spears-Jennings played four seasons at Oklahoma, appearing in 47 games. In his senior year, he played all 13 games and started the final 12. He finished his college career with 178 tackles, including 101 solo stops, eight tackles for loss totaling 33 yards, two and a half sacks, and two interceptions.
Assistant head coach/secondary Joe Whitt Jr. said about Spears-Jennings: “He had a skill set that we were looking. We addressed different needs and different spots, but he’s a kid that I personally like and we like this as a defensive staff.” Whitt added: “He’s a guy that can play in the box. He has the speed to play in high zones. So, he’s not limited by anything from a skill set standpoint. But we’ll use him depending on the guys around him.”
During his time at Oklahoma, Spears-Jennings earned honors such as being named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2024 while starting most games each season since enrolling at OU in January 2022.
The Steelers are affiliated with the National Football League as a member franchise according to their official website. The organization also features community engagement initiatives through historical celebrations and fan experiences as outlined on their website, including displaying artifacts at their Hall of Honor Museum located at Acrisure Stadium according to official sources.
