Steelers select former UNLV RB Summers in 5th round of NFL Draft

By Ryan Greene

Sunday, April 26, 2009 | 12:41 p.m.

Over the last 6 weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers did very little to conceal the fact that former UNLV running back Frank Summers grabbed their attention.

On Sunday afternoon, the defending Super Bowl champs followed through.

With the fifth of the NFL Draft's seven rounds drawing to a close, the Steelers held back-to-back picks at Nos. 168 and 169. At 168, they took Central Florida cornerback Joe Burnett.

Then, the organization took less than 30 seconds to turn in its next selection, grabbing Summers, who rushed for 1,668 yards in two seasons as a Rebel on top of showing superb pass-catching ability out of the backfield.

That was one area which grabbed Pittsburgh's eye, specifically.

During UNLV's March Pro Day, the burly back put on an absolute show, recording a time of 4.55 in the 40-yard dash. He also showed a 34.5-inch vertical leap and put up 30 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds.

The Steelers sent two scouts and running backs coach Kirby Wilson to Rebel Park for the event, and then put him through several pass-catching drills in the middle of the workout.

The organization flew Summers out to Pittsburgh for a meet-and-greet two weeks ago.

Summers has a great chance to fit in in Pittsburgh right away.

Many analysts and experts liken what he can bring to that of former Steelers' great Jerome "The Bus" Bettis. He could get an opportunity to excel in short-yardage situations right away, as Pittsburgh recently released Gary Russell, who was their short-yardage specialist in 2008.

Overall, Summers was the tenth running back taken in this weekend's draft.

He is also the first UNLV running back to be selected in the NFL Draft since Ickey Woods was the 31st overall selection of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1988.