Steelers negotiate with Downing

Cyclone center not selected in NFL draft

By LARRY PETERSON

May 01, 2023 at 11:30 am CDT

Iowa State center Trevor Downing of Creston (52) blocks during the Cyclones' 42-10 home victory over Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 3, 2022. Downing started 38 games for the Cyclones in his career, earning All-Big 12 honors on the first and second teams and was named to the Big 12 All-Academic team. (CNA file photo)

Iowa State senior center Trevor Downing of Creston was not selected in last weekend’s NFL draft.

Following the draft, Downing and his agent, Randy Fisher of Ascend Athletics, were contacted by three NFL teams regarding possible undrafted free agent contracts.

Negotiations regarding terms of an offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers were underway Sunday and an agreement was not finalized by late Sunday, according to Downing and his family.

In announcing their interest in Downing, the team noted he was a second-team All-Big 12 selection as the anchor on an offensive line that averaged 369.8 yards per game and 261.8 passing yards per game, third-best in school history. Downing also played right guard for the Cyclones, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors at that position in 2021. That year he made his first career start at center in the Cheez-It Bowl against Clemson. He was a first-team all-state offensive lineman three years for Creston as a high school player.

LARRY PETERSON

Former senior feature writer at Creston News Advertiser and columnist. Previous positions include sports editor for many years and assistant editor. Also a middle school basketball coach in Creston.