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Steelers meet with BYU quarterback Jaren Hall, 2 others, release linebacker Jamir Jones | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

Steelers meet with BYU quarterback Jaren Hall, 2 others, release linebacker Jamir Jones

Joe Rutter
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AP
Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) leaps near Pitt defensive back Judson Tallandier (26) during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Atlanta.

With two quarterbacks on the offseason roster, the Pittsburgh Steelers met with another Wednesday who could fit in as a third-day draft pick.

BYU passer Jaren Hall was one of three players the Steelers invited to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for an official top-30 visit. The others were Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed and Cal safety Daniel Scott.

The Steelers have held official visits with 22 of their allotted 30 prospects. They also had one local visitor: former Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

Hall is the first quarterback to visit the South Side complex. He is a 6-foot, 207-pound redshirt senior who is 25 years old. From 2018-22, after serving his two-year mission, he made 31 appearances, including 25 starts, for the Cougars. He was BYU’s starter in the 2021-22 seasons.

Hall finished his college career with 52 touchdown passes compared to just 11 interceptions while throwing for 6,174 yards. He added 796 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

In his final season, Hall accumulated 3,171 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions before missing BYU’s bowl game with an ankle injury.

CBS Sports rates Hall as the No. 10 quarterback in this year’s draft class. The Steelers could have interest in Hall as depth behind second-year starter Kenny Pickett and veteran backup Mitch Trubisky.

Reed is ranked the eighth-best wide receiver by CBS Sports. A 5-11, 187-pound senior, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the NFL Combine. He spent three seasons at Michigan State after transferring from Western Michigan.

Playing in 31 games for the Spartans, Reed finished as the school’s No. 6 receiver with 147 career receptions. He also ranked seventh with 18 touchdown catches and 12th with 2,069 receiving yards. Reed also excelled as punt and kickoff returner.

As a senior, Reed started 11 games and totaled 55 catches, 639 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions.

He could be a second-day option for the Steelers, who are looking to restock the position behind starters Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. He is the third wide receiver to have a top-30 visit with the Steelers.

Scott is a 6-1, 208-pound redshirt senior who also ran a 4.45 40 at the NFL Combine, ranking second among the 19 safeties tested at the event. He is rated the No. 5 safety in his class by CBS Sports.

In five seasons at Cal, Scott started 28 games and played in 49 total. He had a career-high 85 tackles in 2022 when he also broke up four passes, tied his career best with three interceptions and forced two fumbles.

Scott is the second safety to meet with the Steelers in the top-30 process.

The Steelers also released backup outside linebacker Jamir Jones, leaving the team without any experienced backups on the roster.

Jones appeared in all 17 games for the Steelers in 2022 but he logged just 8% of all defensive snaps behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The other backup outside linebacker on the roster last year, veteran Malik Reed, signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency.

Jones appeared in three games with the Steelers in 2021 before being released. He also spent time with Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Rams that season.

Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.

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Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL
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