Pittsburgh takes ‘Tank’ in Round 5

Just before making it official, Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson sent the Review-Journal a text message saying the club would select Frank Summers.

Not a shock considering the Super Bowl champions had shown a strong interest in Summers, UNLV's two-year starting tailback.

What was surprising was the text came early Sunday afternoon. Summers, known as "The Tank'' at UNLV, was thought to be a late-round choice or free agent, but the Steelers made him a fifth-rounder and No. 169 overall selection in the NFL Draft.

"If you grade a guy and like him, you've got to take him," Wilson said. "We were just ecstatic when we saw he was still around at that spot."

Summers said he thought the Steelers might make the call when he saw Pittsburgh had consecutive picks in the fifth round and earlier had addressed other team needs.

"I had a big gut feeling," Summers said from Oakland, Calif. "I was waiting for them to make the pick."

Summers (5 feet 9 inches, 243 pounds) is the first UNLV running back to be drafted since Ickey Woods went in the second round to the Cincinnati Bengals in 1988. But the selection of Summers is the third year in a row the Rebels have had at least one player drafted, and the fifth time in six years.

The chances of Summers getting drafted didn't appear promising when he wasn't invited to the NFL scouting combine, but his odds improved with a strong pro day.

More telling was the fact the Steelers were the only club to send a position coach (Wilson) to the March 5 workout. They also were the first team to bring in Summers for a visit, though three other teams also hosted him.

Summers left Pittsburgh impressed.

"There's something about that place that made me want to be there," Summers said.

The Steelers, who recently cut short-yardage back Gary Russell, could use Summers. They've searched for a short-yardage back since Jerome Bettis retired after the 2005 Super Bowl-winning season.

"He'll have a chance, that's for sure," Wilson said. "The guy fits our needs and we like him, and he'll have a chance to develop. That's why we drafted him."

Summers, who rushed for 1,668 yards the past two seasons, also was drafted to be a blocking fullback for tailbacks Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, and could break in on special teams as well.

He will do what's asked, and to know he's heading to the Steelers as a fifth-round pick is even more meaningful.

"It shows they're men of their word and believe in me, and I believe I can come in and help the organization," Summers said. "I'm very happy and blessed with the opportunity to help them win a seventh Lombardi Trophy."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.