New Summer series for Steelers Depot highlighting a handful of 2022 NFL Draft hopefuls and options for the Pittsburgh Steelers we could be talked a lot more about nine months from now.
Isaiah Pola-Mao / S / USC – 6’4, 205lb
The Good
-Has good open field speed and is a fluid mover from side-to-side and in a backpedal
-Possesses great length and height for the position
-Uses his frame along with his instincts to have a lot of range as a deep safety
-Flows to the football well in both coverage and in run support
-Physical, violent tackler that shows great pursuit
-Diagnoses the play well pre-snap to be in position against the run or in coverage
-Makes calls and vocalizes what he sees to the rest of the defense
-Recognizes route patterns and breaks on the ball to challenge at the catch point
-A natural ballhawk on the backend, led the Pac-12 Conference as a sophomore with four INTs
-Has experience playing man coverage against backs and TEs and has dabbled with playing in the nickel
-Has the traits and play style to be good special teams player
The Bad
-Angles of pursuit can be improved upon for better positioning when making that tackle
-Can fly in too fast as a tackler at times causing some missed attempts rather than wrapping up effectively
-Long, slender build doesn’t give confidence to durability at the next level
-History of shoulder injuries are concerning for a defensive back
Bio
-Former four-star recruit and nephew to former Steeler great Troy Polamalu
-His father, Tracey, played football at San Diego State and with the Arena League’s Arizona Rattlers
-His great uncle is former USC fullback and current assistant coach Kennedy Polamalu
-Also was on Mountain Pointe’s basketball and track, placing fourth in the long jump in a personal-best 22-7.