With the Pittsburgh Steelers set to begin training camp at Saint Vincent College on July 26th, there will be plenty of intriguing story lines to follow.
One of the best might be Alejandro Villanueva’s battle to find a way onto the Pittsburgh Steelers roster as an offensive tackle. For Villanueva, the challenges that await him in Latrobe are nothing compared to what he has faced off the field.
That’s because Villanueva is more than just a football player. He’s a West Point grad, and a decorated veteran who has served three separate tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Airborne Ranger. During his time in Afghanistan, Villanueva was a rifle platoon leader who was awarded the Bronze Star for valor on the battlefield while rescuing wounded soldiers in the line of fire.
A war hero pursuing his NFL dream with the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Could this be the 2015 incarnation of Rocky Bleier?
Standing six-foot, nine inches and weighing 280 pounds, Villanueva might physically be the polar opposite of one of the Steelers all-time greats, but as an underdog trying to fulfill his NFL dreams, it’s impossible not to see the parallels.
From a football standpoint, it’s fair to say that Villanueva is used to being an underdog. Since 2010, Villanueva has been cut by the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Eagles. This was all while never really being locked into a position; the Bengals attempted to make Villanueva a tight end. Then with the Bears and Eagles, Villanueva was moved unsuccessfully to defensive end.
Not exactly an optimal situation for a free agent trying to play in the NFL.
While with the Eagles in 2014, Villanueva added nearly forty pounds onto his frame while attempting to make the team as a defensive lineman. It was after the Eagles released Villanueva that the Steelers decided to take a flier on Villanueva as an offensive tackle, signing him to their practice squad last season.
Finally locked into a position, Villanueva will enter camp in a battle with Mike Adams for a backup job as a “swing tackle.” This is a critical role because it means on game day, that if one of the starting tackles goes down, the swing tackle needs to be able to fill in on either side on the fly. Adams held that job last season, and his performance in the role, much like his career as a whole after being picked in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft, has been a mixed bag.
Adams inability to live up to the lofty expectations to this point could open the door to Villanueva, and according to teammate Ramon Foster in an interview with the Army Times, Villanueva has the tools to make it as an NFL offensive lineman. “Absolutely, he can play in the NFL,” Foster said. “He has the size for it, and he’s a sponge right now. He goes against James Harrison in practice every day. He’s learning all he can and doesn’t take that for granted. He’s somebody who has a lot of room to grow.”
Working under the tutelage of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Mike Munchak, Villanueva has a chance to develop into an NFL caliber offensive tackle capable of making the active roster.
If an NFL career is going to happen, the time is almost certainly now for Villanueva. Considering the fact that Adams is a “beatable” incumbent and that Villanueva will turn 27 in September, there may not be a better chance for Villanueva to make an NFL roster. Considering this will be Villanueva’s fifth training camp since 2010, this might be his last, best chance to win a job.
Regardless, it’s the bravery and sacrifices that Villanueva has displayed as a soldier that should define him, and make him fan favorite as he battles for a roster spot this Summer in Latrobe.
Photo credit: CBS Pittsburgh
