The Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting Illinois defensive lineman James Thompson and Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis for pre-draft visits at their South Side facility on Thursday. This marks the eighth and ninth players visited so far in the process. Louis, a local product, does not count against the team's 30 allowed visits.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue their pre-draft evaluation by welcoming two more prospects on Thursday, March 19, 2026. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ray Fittipaldo, the visitors are Illinois DL James Thompson and Pitt LB Kyle Louis, bringing the total to eight or nine players hosted this offseason. Fittipaldo tweeted: “Steelers top 30 visitors for today: Illinois DL James Thompson and Pitt LB Kyle Louis.” (March 19, 2026). This is the second local visit after Penn State TE Khalil Dinkins, and Louis's status exempts him from the NFL's 30-visit limit for local products within 50 miles of team facilities. Thompson announced his Pittsburgh arrival on Instagram Wednesday. He measured 6-foot-5½, 308 pounds at Illinois Pro Day, with 32-inch arms from the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl. Originally from Wisconsin, he transferred to Illinois and had a strong 2025 season, including a sack at the Shrine Bowl. Analysts note his size and length suit the Steelers' defensive end preferences. Louis elevated his draft stock with a dominant 2025 season at Pitt: 81 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups, earning second-team All-American honors. At the NFL Combine, he measured 5-foot-11⅝, 220 pounds, ran a 4.53 40-yard dash, had a 10-foot-9 broad jump, and 39.5-inch vertical. He impressed at the Senior Bowl. The visits align with linebacker needs, as the Steelers re-signed Cole Holcomb to a two-year deal amid trade speculation for Patrick Queen.
