Dwyer goes to Pittsburgh Steelers — updated with Dwyer quotes
After a wait that he described as humbling, former Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer said he’s excited to be a Steeler.
At one time projected to be a first-round pick, a combination of factors saw Dwyer tumble all the way to the sixth round of the NFL Draft, where Pittsburgh made him the 188th player selected.
“It was very hard [ to wait],” Dwyer said. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. It made me think about a lot of things. I’ve got to come in and be ready to work and that’s what I’m going to do.”
He wasn’t supposed to last that long. After rushing for 1,395 yards as a sophomore to earn ACC player of the year honors, he rushed for 1,395 more as a junior last season to help the Yellow Jackets win the ACC. When he submitted his early-entry paperwork to the NFL in December, coach Paul Johnson said it came back with a first- or second-round pick projection.
Instead, Dwyer became a polarizing player, with some draft analysts slotting him high and others very low. It seemed the more that analysts looked at him, the more they found they didn’t like. They questioned his weight and speed. They didn’t like his pass-blocking and pass-catching skills, neither of which he was asked to do at Tech because of the nature of the run-focused offense. In the end, he was the 12th running back taken behind notables from Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
“It could have been a lot of things, but it’s over now,” Dwyer said. “As long as the team’s winning, I’m fine.”
Dwyer played at around 242 pounds in Tech’s spread-option. A toe injury sustained in the Orange Bowl hampered his training and conditioning in the weeks leading up to the NFL Combine. As a result, he weighed 229 pounds, four more than his target weight, and ran a relatively slow 40 time. But the toe healed and a slimmer Dwyer (225 pounds) bounced back at Tech’s pro day a month later to run a 4.52, seven-hundredths faster than his time at the Combine and within the top-10 times posted there. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said on Saturday that he never saw a burst from Dwyer during workouts. He had 15 plays of at least 20 yards or more last season, including a pass, an indication that he is fast enough to run away from tacklers.
Analysts also wondered whether Dwyer could transition from lining up close to the line of scrimmage, as he did in Tech’s spread-option, to the deeper start required in a pro-style offense. Dwyer pointed out after Tech’s pro day that he was used in that formation during his freshman season at Tech when Chan Gailey was coach.
Lastly, a week before the draft, foxsports.com reported that Dwyer flunked a drug test at the Combine. However, Dwyer had previously alerted the NFL that he has been taking prescription mediciation for ADD since he was in the 5th grade. Dwyer said one of the doctors who reviewed the drug tests mistakenly omitted him from the list of previously cleared patients. Dwyer’s agent, Adisa Bakari, said every NFL team knew about the medicine before the draft, calling it a “non-issue.”
As Dwyer said, it’s over now. He will report to Pittsburgh’s mini-camp next week. He said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wants him to learn the playbook as quickly as possible. The team features one running back who dominates the snaps, Rashard Mendenhall. Dwyer said he can be a third-down back, if not more.
“I will do whatever it takes to get on the field,” he said.
Should he make the squad, Atlanta fans can watch him when the Falcons open against the Steelers on Sept. 12 at Heinz Field.
Dwyer is the fourth Yellow Jacket taken in this year’s draft, following defensive end Derrick Morgan to Tennessee with the 16th pick, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to Denver with the 22nd pick, and safety Morgan Burnett to Green Bay in the third round (71st overall) on Friday.
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185 comments Add your comment
war jacket
April 24th, 2010
4:26 pm
It’s hundredths not thousandths. Get it right man.
collegeballfan
April 24th, 2010
4:26 pm
After all the suspense he ended up with the team he would probably have picked as the system best suited for his skills.
Russ, the Interim Mascot
April 24th, 2010
4:28 pm
Being a Dawg, JD going to Pittsburgh is a good fit. He’s a hard runner & should have a successful career. Wish nothing but the best for the kid.
BIG BEE
April 24th, 2010
4:29 pm
BUG CRUSHER, Please, do tell, what is a CAREAR? Must be a new word that hasn’t made the Pre-K list yet. What should we expect from you?
YellowlineJacket
April 24th, 2010
4:29 pm
I guess it would be humbling to drop so far but Jonathan’s got the moxie. All he really wanted is a chance and he’s got a great opportunity now with Pittsburgh. Perfect place for him to be. He’ll be playing this fall.
dawgfan
April 24th, 2010
4:33 pm
I wish Dwyer well. I really have nothing against the Tech players themselves, just their sorry fans. The Steelers have some of the best and most faithful fans in the world. Dwyer will see what he was missing at Georgia Tech.
Dawg Mist
April 24th, 2010
4:33 pm
Dwyer will not make the steelers roster–bank on it. He’s too slow and can’t block. First round? What a joke!
CBB1
April 24th, 2010
4:34 pm
Hey RamblinWreck,
I wouldn’t be busting on Techmite’s comments when you can’t get it right either. It is the Falcons, not Falcon’s.
Check your own spelling and grammer before you start busting on someone else. You MOMO. You must be a Tennessee grad with grammer like that.
Biff Pocoroba
April 24th, 2010
4:41 pm
I guess the day laborers couldn’t get work today in the rain so they got to stay home and talk about how great the Dawgs and Hershcel Walker are.
Tech Fan Since 1950
April 24th, 2010
4:41 pm
Dwyer took a pounding on almost every offensive play the last two years as he was lined up close to the line of scrimmage in the Tech offense as we know it today. His freshman year though he was still effective as he lined up in the deeper tailback position when he was substituting for Tashard Choice. He can run over people and by people. When he has caught the ball through the pass he has the ability to breakaway then too. If my memory serves me correctly, he has the lower body size of a Franco Harris type. He is Steeler tough! Congratulations to Jonathan and to all the Jackets and Dawgs who were drafted these last three days.
.
April 24th, 2010
4:42 pm
CBB1- grammer? Is that like rythmitic? GRAMMAR
What a travesty
April 24th, 2010
4:43 pm
I talked with someone associated with one of the NFL teams who asked not to be disclosed nor the team identified, but Dwyer going late had everything to do with the false drug testing report. His lack of everything else was only going to demote him to 2nd round. I am truly disappointed in the idiots associated with the NFL drafts whether they be the doctor, scouts, media etc..that cost this kid millions. In a time where Dwyer should have been honored for all his great efforts, he was shamed because of incompetent liars. I hope more about this comes out and the truth be known. The one source I had said no team wants to take that kind of chance with such unclear drug test reporting going on so close to draft day.
You're full of $#!+
April 24th, 2010
4:54 pm
Seriously. “What a travesty” – you’re full of $#!+.
A guy from a gimmick offense who runs a terrible 40, sports above-normal weight, and has limited reps blocking and catching passes…who could’ve possibly foreseen him falling like this.
dawgfan
April 24th, 2010
5:00 pm
Tech fans always have an excuse for everything. It was the “erroneous” reports on the drug test, eventhough every report I read made it very clear that he was only taking meds for his ADD. But this, according to Tech fans, is what cost him. Its nothing but excuses out of these pinheads 24/7/365.
italian_29
April 24th, 2010
5:08 pm
I am glad that the Steeler took Dwyer, he is a power runner and will fit well in the Steelers organization. I am a HUGE Steelers fan and an Dawg Fan too, I am glad the Dawgs don’t have to face Dwyer anymore, because he can run over people and run away from people too, if needed. I think thhat Dwyer will be seen as the STEAL of this years draft. For the Tech fans bashing 21 year old young men, like they were doing with Rennie Curran, need to get a life.
Kay
April 24th, 2010
5:10 pm
I am now a Steelers’ fan!
All the tech fans are pulling for you, Jon.
Good luck in all you do!
football dad
April 24th, 2010
5:13 pm
As the parent of a son (rising HS senior running back/linebacker) who’s getting interest from some major college football programs, it’s hard not to take note of this fall. I know Coach Johnson is proud of his offense (and it may be great for winning college games), but there’s no denying that both Thomas and Dwyer would have gone higher (and made a lot more money) if they had played in a different system. I would guess that Thomas would have been a top 10 pick had he not played in Johnson’s triple option. Drug test issue or not, Dwyer wouldn’t have lasted beyond the third round if he’d spent the last two seasons playing in Gailey’s system rather than Johnson’s.
Cornelius Washington
April 24th, 2010
5:24 pm
I play for UGA, but Dwyer will be a good NFL back.
Paul in RDU
April 24th, 2010
5:24 pm
football dad – Thomas would have gone higher??? You realize that he was the first WR taken in the draft, right?
PJ the Draft Killa
April 24th, 2010
5:28 pm
Football dad,
You are spot on. Kids come to college to prepare for the draft. Once Gailey’s kids are gone, you will see the talent drop pick up. And don’t let them have a bad year because then all of these idiots preaching the beauty of the triple option will jump off the bandwagon. If PJ doesn’t begin modifying his gameplan, GT is headed downhill. Just ask all the run and shoot teams how that works out for them.
Notelin
April 24th, 2010
5:36 pm
Steelers picked up Willie Parker in the later rounds, and he did OK for them. I am a Steelers fan, so I’m glad to see him in Pittsburgh. They’ve been looking for a replacement for Bettis for quite some time, and Dwyer I think is the guy.
Techfan at UGA
April 24th, 2010
5:37 pm
WTF were the falcons thinking in this draft???? passing on Dez Bryant and Bey Bey in the first and then passing on Dwyer IN THE 6TH!!!!!…. has none of these teams wathced game film.. dwyer will be an all star running back in the NFL and the falcons get some scrub from montana instead..
football dad
April 24th, 2010
5:42 pm
Paul in RDU – He may have been the first player taken, but a guy with his size and speed would have been more like a Calvin Johnson prospect if he’d played for Gailey the last two years. I know he went before any other WR, but someone would have taken him in the top half of the first round if he’d played in a pro style offense. Ask any person familiar with the pay scale for NFL rookies, and they’ll tell you the guaranteed money drops off fast after the first 10 to 15 picks.
The GT staff hasn’t offered my son, but similar schools have (and they may never, so it won’t be an issue). I’m not saying I’d tell him not to go there (I tell him my opinion on things, but it’s his decision). There are also many reasons to pick a college program other than having a shot at the NFL, especially considering the world is full of big time high school football recruits who never earn a passing look from a single pro scout.
If he ends up with an offer, however, and the expectation is that he’ll play running back (rather than linebacker or safety), I know he’d certainly think long and hard about a school that runs that type of offense, and it wouldn’t be a positive in his (or my) mind. All things being equal, you might as well go to a place where the system itself won’t hold you back if you do develop into a pro-caliber player.
TriJest
April 24th, 2010
5:55 pm
Doggie fans hanging out in the opposition blog again today. Must be nothing going on in their own program worth talking about.
JoeV
April 24th, 2010
6:01 pm
Who is the better back now Tech? Spiller or Dwyer?
BG
April 24th, 2010
6:06 pm
Dwyer likes to eat at the varisty to much!!! Fat boy!
Spike
April 24th, 2010
6:13 pm
Go Diesel and we all know what all dogs eat, don”t we?
UGA grad
April 24th, 2010
6:15 pm
We’re so proud of Dwyer! He deserved to have gone so much earlier, but what a story it will make for the media when he dominates. More than likely, most of those athletes take medication for ADD; it seems to be so common today. Stupid Atlanta Falcons threw a treasure away. He is a player with a HUGE local following that would have helped fill up the dome, but go figure…. and GO STEELERS!
Mad Stiller
April 24th, 2010
6:31 pm
I’m from Pittsburgh, and a lifelong Steelers fan. I just watched some highlight film of this kid. What a steal. He’s got a mean stiff arm, and he’s not afraid of contact. I think he will be pressing Mendenhall within the next couple of years. Not a bad problem to have for us Steeler fans. Now if only we can keep our players out of trouble…
Wishful Thinking
April 24th, 2010
6:48 pm
Congrats JD!
Football Dad – Thomas going higher under Gailey? LMAO! Gailey could not develop one decent qb in seven years. You have no clue.
Bigger Fish to Fry
April 24th, 2010
6:50 pm
Congrats to JD, Bay-Bay, Morgan and Burnett – We Run This Conference and will hopefully win a bowl game during the CPJ era.
I Hate UGAY
April 24th, 2010
6:56 pm
Pittsburgh has a way of drafting diamonds in the late rounds, they do their homework themselves, they do not listen to self styled analysts who can hardly give away their worthless opinions, let alone get paid for them.
Kevin
April 24th, 2010
6:59 pm
Jon:
I pray God’s blessing on you and that His name be glorified in Christ Jesus through your each and every action .
Thank you for all the exciting moments during the past 3 years also.
Keep the faith
A Tech fan as well as a brother.
RomeDawg
April 24th, 2010
7:02 pm
Best of Luck!!! I always liked him!
Buzzzed
April 24th, 2010
7:02 pm
Loser Falcons missed out!
AlabamaRamblinwreck
April 24th, 2010
7:13 pm
Mad Stiller: You are exactly correct in your analysis. You definitely got a top 2 round talent in the 6th round. Kudos to the Rooney family for making the decision to draft him.
On top of that, you got a great kid. He will be a great citizen representing your Steelers.
AlabamaRamblinwreck
April 24th, 2010
7:15 pm
And BTW, I hope all of the players drafted from GA schools do exceedingly well in the NFL! You haters on these young men need to get a life.
Goldenrod
April 24th, 2010
7:21 pm
Dwyer is a druggie and Big Ben a pimp, Steelers gonna have their hands full.
The Truth
April 24th, 2010
7:21 pm
His first move in the league should be to can his agent. What moron does such a poor job of marketing a talent like Dwyer?
messin with sasquatch
April 24th, 2010
7:48 pm
maybe the questions are legit – he’ll have to prove himself. but the low draft pick was over the top in punishing a great resume at tech.
i think the steeler pick is a good fit for diesel. good things come to those who wait.
and doggsqueezers – get a life.
Dawg 1
April 24th, 2010
8:08 pm
I think the Steelers ’stole one’ with this kid. Nice vision, strong work ethic and break tackles. He isn’t going to run away from anyone, but I cannot remember a Steeler running back who could. Nice fit for the kid. He’ll do well…
san diego dawg
April 24th, 2010
8:08 pm
This draft was very deep for RB position. There are 16 RB’s that did not get drafted. Dwyer needed to show up at the combine at less than 10% body fat and run close to .44-.445. He did neither. Had he done those two things, he could have spent more time during his pro day showcasing his pass catching out of the backfield. You have to be an elite athlete to be a college RB. You have to be the elite of the elite now to be drafted in the 1st or 2nd round. It is actually a good opportunity for him to work behind Mendenhall. At minimum, he will be a role model for Dwyer for losing body fat without losing bulk.
GoDOGS1
April 24th, 2010
8:09 pm
messin with sasquatch- “get a life”? Yet, you…yeah you, are on UGA’s blog every day talkin junk. Can’t have both ways, punk!
adawgfan
April 24th, 2010
8:12 pm
i am a dawg fan in college ball and a steelers fan in the pros. Have to admit that i’m happy with the pick – go jd your on my team now and i hope you do great
Dawg 1
April 24th, 2010
8:14 pm
Just a quick comment to Trijest. I do not drop into your blogs – but always thought a lot of this kid. Apparently you do not drop into the Dawgs blogs very much. If you did, you would certainly realize that this is ‘tame’ compared to what the Tech people come with in every single Dawg blog. Both schools have their fair share of head cases that apparently do not have a life.
Good luck to the Tech players drafted. I’m sure they will represent themselve, as well as their school well.
Steelers fan
April 24th, 2010
8:44 pm
I’m a Ga. fan and I didn’t like JD. I have been a Steelers fan forever. I’m a JD fan now. He will be the next Bettis. Good pick. Go Steelers !!!!!!!!!!!!
Druid Hills
April 24th, 2010
8:46 pm
the Falcons will regret not drafting Dywer
sec fan
April 24th, 2010
8:50 pm
Dwyer has Football speed , I don’t remember him ever being caught from behind , I do remember people looking at the sky when he collided with him , A true steel for teh Steelers
college football
April 24th, 2010
8:51 pm
can we say drugs!
smart dawg
April 24th, 2010
8:57 pm
College football @ 8:51:
No you can’t say drugs. You haven’t been paying attention. Or perhaps you have a short attention span.