Steelers Bring Navy’s Eli Heidenreich Home in Seventh Round

The closing rounds of the NFL Draft are usually about finding overlooked talent. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the selection of Eli Heidenreich carried an additional layer of meaning.

Pittsburgh used the 230th overall pick in the seventh round to select the versatile Naval Academy standout, bringing the Pittsburgh native back to the city where his football career began. Heidenreich, who attended Mt. Lebanon High School, joins the Steelers after establishing himself as one of Navy’s most productive offensive weapons.

Used as both a runner and receiver, Heidenreich completed his college career with 109 receptions for 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,157 yards and seven scores, production that reflected his ability to contribute from multiple positions rather than fit into one traditional role.

That flexibility could become his clearest path to earning a place in Pittsburgh. Heidenreich can carry the ball, work from the slot and compete on special teams—valuable qualities for a late-round prospect attempting to prove he belongs on an NFL roster.

The destination made the moment especially meaningful for Heidenreich.

“I was born and raised a Steelers fan,” Heidenreich said. “The chance for me to go and put on that uniform and contribute to that team is unbelievable.”

Sentiment alone will not determine what happens next. Like every seventh-round selection, Heidenreich will enter the NFL facing competition and few guarantees. But his production at Navy, positional versatility and willingness to take on different assignments give Pittsburgh an intriguing developmental player.

The Steelers did more than add another name to their draft class. They gave a hometown prospect the opportunity to earn his place with the team he once watched from the stands.

Midshipmen Edge Black Knights to Keep Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in Annapolis

Navy edged Army 17–16 on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, claiming the 126th meeting between the two service academies in front of a crowd of 70,936. The win secured the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the Midshipmen for a second straight year, something the program had not accomplished since the 2012–13 seasons.

Navy struck first with a methodical opening drive that set the tone for a fast-moving first quarter, which lasted just 25 minutes. Quarterback Blake Horvath capped a 13-play, 75-yard march with a 5-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter to give Navy a 7–0 lead.

Army responded early in the second quarter behind quarterback Cale Hellums, who finished the day with 100 rushing yards on 25 carries. Hellums capped Army’s own 13-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7–7. Army added two Dawson Jones field goals before halftime, including a 45-yard kick as time expired, to take a 13–7 lead into the break.

Brian Newberry

“Wasn't the prettiest today, a lot of mistakes, a couple of turnovers, some missed opportunities,” Navy head coach Brian Newberry said. “But really, really proud of our guys for finding a way, being down at halftime. They kept battling and found a way to get it done in the end.”

Army continued to control field position coming out of halftime, extending its lead to 16–7 with a 48-yard Jones field goal early in the third quarter. Navy answered late in the period with a 21-yard field goal by Nathan Kirkwood after a 13-play drive that trimmed the deficit to six.

Despite a pair of early turnovers, Horvath settled in and kept Navy within reach. “Blake didn’t play his best game,” Newberry said. “Had a couple misreads early on, a couple turnovers and some missed throws, but the kid is special. Just doesn’t faze him one bit.”

Blake Horvath

That composure showed in the fourth quarter. Horvath led a nine-play, 50-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Eli Heidenreich with 6:32 remaining. The catch gave Heidenreich 72 receiving yards on the day and pushed his season total to 837, breaking a Navy receiving record that had stood since 1967.

Navy’s defense sealed the win from there, holding Army scoreless in the fourth quarter and forcing a late punt before running out the clock. The Midshipmen finished with 190 rushing yards, led by Horvath’s 107 on the ground, while Army totaled 120 rushing yards and controlled possession for long stretches.

“You need your seniors to have big moments in games like this,” Newberry said. “It’s a special senior class. They’ve worked their tails off, and this group is going to leave a legacy behind.”

The victory gave Navy its first back-to-back 10-win seasons in school history and kept the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in Annapolis for another year. “The only bad thing about this game is that somebody has to sing first,” Newberry said afterward. “I think anybody watching that game, if you're American, you're super proud of what you saw on the football field.”

Navy (10-2) will now turn its attention to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Cincinnati on January 2, while Army (6-6) faces Connecticut in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on December 27.

Army and Navy Battle in Baltimore on December 13

Navy and Army will take center stage Saturday when they face each other in the 126th meeting of college football’s most famous rivalry. The game is set for a 3 p.m. kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore and will be shown nationwide on CBS. Beyond pride and tradition, the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is on the line.

The Midshipmen come in at 9–2 and ranked in the national polls, continuing one of the most successful regular seasons in school history. Navy has ridden a powerful offense that can hurt teams on the ground and through the air, led by senior quarterback and team captain Blake Horvath. Horvath has been a standout dual-threat this year, leading Navy in both passing and rushing, and has steadily piled up yardage to help keep the Midshipmen near the top of the American Athletic Conference.

Horvath’s leadership has been key, and his ability to make plays whether he’s throwing the ball or scrambling has made Navy difficult to defend. He’s joined by playmakers like Eli Heidenreich, who has been a big target in the passing game and a threat with the ball in space. Running back Alex Tecza also contributes regularly in the rushing attack, keeping opposing defenses off balance. 

Defensively, Navy has been solid and opportunistic throughout the season. MarcAnthony Parker has been one of the unit’s leaders, leading the team in tackles and adding an interception. Luke Pirris has been active around the line of scrimmage with 72 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Landon Robinson has also made an impact up front, recording 8.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery, giving Navy consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Army arrives at 6–5 after securing bowl eligibility in its final regular-season game and will look to slow the Midshipmen with its trademark rushing attack and disciplined defense. The Black Knights run a tough ground game and try to control the clock, setting up a contrast of styles that always makes this rivalry special.

The matchup is expected to be competitive and physical, as it often is in this long-standing rivalry. With pride and tradition on the line, the Army-Navy game remains one of college football’s most meaningful and popular games each season.

Navy Stuns No. 24 South Florida on Senior Day, 41–38

Navy earned its biggest win of the season on Senior Day in Annapolis, upsetting No. 24 South Florida 41–38 with strong runs, big plays through the air, and a final defensive stand that kept the Bulls from completing a late comeback. For head coach Brian Newberry, the effort was exactly what he had been waiting to see.

“I'm so proud of this football team. I told them after the game this is the team I've been waiting to see all year long and that's not to say that it was perfect, it certainly wasn't. What they did today is they came out and they competed, and that was the message this week. Just let it loose, compete your tails off, play for each other, play for the seniors.”

Navy has been at its best when starting fast, entering the game 6–0 this season when scoring first. They made it 7–0 by striking early. After forcing a South Florida punt, the Midshipmen moved the ball quickly, and fullback Alex Tecza broke free for a 76-yard touchdown run giving Navy a quick 7–0 lead. South Florida answered with a field goal, but Navy found another big play on its next long drive.

With the ball at the Navy 14, quarterback Blake Horvath threw the longest pass of his career—an 82-yard deep ball to Eli Heidenreich. The catch was also the longest of Heidenreich’s career and moved him into first place all-time in career receiving yards at Navy. An ensuing short run by Brandon Chatman on the next play made it 14–3 going into the second quarter.

South Florida cut the lead to 14–9 with a touchdown pass from Byrum Brown, but Navy answered again. Horvath completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tecza to push the lead back to 21–9. Moments later, defensive back Phillip Hamilton grabbed his second interception of the year to stop a Bulls drive near midfield. Navy used the next possession to set up a 44-yard field goal from Nathan Kirkwood, stretching the lead to 24–9.

South Florida tried to rally late in the half, driving inside the Navy 35, but the Mids stopped a fourth-and-one run to keep the lead at 15 points going into halftime.

The Bulls opened the second half with a touchdown run to make it 24–16. Navy answered with a defensive stop and eventually added a 31-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to go up 27–16. Only one play later, South Florida tightened the game again when Brown ran 60 yards for a touchdown and added a two-point conversion to cut Navy’s lead to 27–24.

Horvath then had to leave the game briefly with leg cramps, bringing in Braxton Woodson. Woodson took over and immediately helped settle the offense. He led an eight-play drive that ended with his first touchdown—a 20-yard run that made it 34–24. South Florida came back with another touchdown to get within 34–30 after a missed extra point.

On the next possession, Woodson came through again. He kept the ball on a zone read and broke into the open field for a 64-yard touchdown run, giving Navy a 41–30 lead and finishing the day with 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

South Florida refused to go away. Brown led a quick drive ending with a 41-yard touchdown pass and another two-point conversion to make it 41–38 with under two minutes left. The Bulls attempted an onside kick, but Navy recovered it. The Midshipmen ran the ball on the final plays to close out the win and send their seniors off with a strong finish in their last home game.

Horvath ended the day with 207 total yards, including the 82-yard pass to Heidenreich. Heidenreich recorded 146 receiving yards and reached another career milestone. Tecza added 126 rushing yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Coleman Cauley and MarcAnthony Parker combined for 21 tackles, and Hamilton’s interception helped stall South Florida’s momentum in the first half.

Navy improves to 8–2 and now prepares for a road trip to Memphis on Thanksgiving night. South Florida, now 7–3, travels to face UAB next week. 

Navy and South Florida Battle at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

South Florida heads to Navy on Saturday for a key conference matchup that could shape the American Athletic Conference standings. Both teams are 7-2 and part of a tight race at the top, with only one league loss each. Kickoff is at noon in Annapolis.

USF comes in with one of the best offenses in the country, averaging 42 points per game. Quarterback Byrum Brown has been the Bulls’ star all season. He has thrown for more than 2,200 yards and run for over 700, making him one of the most dangerous dual-threat players in college football. Last week against UTSA, Brown led USF to a 55–23 win by piling up 348 total yards in just over one half of action. The Bulls have also been very strong on the ground, rushing for more than 235 yards in six straight games.

Navy will counter with its own strong running attack. The Midshipmen lead the nation in rushing, gaining over 300 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Blake Horvath has rushed for more than 100 yards in six straight games and directs an offense built on long drives and ball control. Navy is 5-0 at home this season and has been tough to beat in Annapolis.

The teams have split their last two meetings. Navy beat USF 28–7 last year in Tampa, while the Bulls won in Annapolis in 2023. USF has usually played well when it can score early and speed up the game, while Navy prefers to slow things down and limit possessions. That contrast in styles will be a big factor on Saturday.

With both teams fighting for a spot in the conference championship game, this matchup carries extra weight. USF is trying to stay on track for its first league title, while Navy hopes to finish the regular season unbeaten at home. It should be one of the most important games of the weekend in the American.