The Penn State standout who turned a record-breaking freshman season into an NFL career
In short: In 2018, a young tight end arrived at Penn State and immediately rewrote the record books. Now a cornerstone for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pat Freiermuth has transitioned from a collegiate standout to a professional reliable, navigating injuries and roster shifts to secure his place in the league.
Pat Freiermuth’s ascent began during his 2018 freshman campaign with the Nittany Lions. He set a program record for the most receiving touchdowns by a freshman tight end, hauling in eight scores across 26 receptions for 368 yards. His impact was so immediate that by 2019, he was named Penn State's Most Valuable Offensive Player. Despite rumors of an early departure for the professional ranks, he chose to return to college for another season, eventually earning the Big Ten's Kwalick–Clark Tight End of the Year award in 2020.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Freiermuth in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, picking him 55th overall to fill the void left by the retirement of Vance McDonald. He quickly became a fan favorite, with Pittsburgh crowds adopting the chant "Muth" in his honor. His rookie season was marked by both highlights and physical challenges, including two concussions sustained during games against the Bengals and Titans. Despite these setbacks, he finished his debut year with 60 receptions and seven touchdowns.
Freiermuth's professional journey has been defined by resilience and significant milestones. In 2022, he achieved a career-high 732 receiving yards, and in September 2024, he solidified his future with the Steelers by signing a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension. Even as the team's roster evolves—notably with the 2025 acquisition of Jon Jonnu Smith—Freiermuth remains a vital component of the offense, recently proving his capability in high-stakes prime-time matchups.
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