Under the Radar CB Impresses With Pick Six at Steelers OTAs

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers emphasize ball-hawking in their secondary and it has produced great results, especially since Minkah Fitzpatrick came over from the Miami Dolphins. However, this week, another cornerback jumped out as a ballhawk at Steelers OTAs.

That cornerback was former XFLer and Jacksonville Jaguar Luq Barcoo. Barcoo is no stranger to making plays on the football. During his senior year at San Diego State, Barcoo led the entire country in interceptions. It is something that has followed him throughout his entire football career.

So, on Wednesday, Barcoo confirmed that he nabbed a pick-six. It is something that Barcoo credits to the growing comfortability in the playbook that he has right now. The more he learns, the better he generally thinks that he can be at large over the course of a practice or even game.

“So as far as the interception, I did get an interception yesterday was my first one, but I’m just trying to get acclimated to the playbook and once you get acclimated to the playbook and get comfortable, it allows you to play fast,” Barcoo said. “I’m pretty much approaching that point right now, so I’m able to put myself in positions to make plays on the ball.”

There is more to the entire thing than luck. Barcoo generally thinks he is able to make more plays when he can just focus on his task at hand and not have to think about it. So, he predicts this is only one of the interceptions he can get in the coming weeks as the mandatory minicamp starts next week.

“It’s about understanding the game, coverages, alignments, and what’s coming for you,” Barcoo said. “There’s not much more to it than that. You can put yourself into good positions, go up and get the ball, and put yourself in good positions against the receiver.”

The cornerback room is already deep. So, Barcoo will have an uphill climb to make the roster no matter what happens. But if he can continue making plays on the football, there’s always the chance that Barcoo could be a sleeper that jumps up the board in the Steelers minds.