by Bo Marchionte

Latrobe, PA – There are plenty of new faces on the current Steelers rosters and even some of the veterans haven’t experienced training camp at St. Vincent College. The COVID-19 pandemic kept training camp confined to Heinz Field over the last two years.

The Steelers Kevin Dotson was drafted out of Louisiana in the fourth round of 2020 NFL Draft. He was able to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl and Pro Day before COVID-19 put its clamps on all normalcy.

Now after two full years in the National Football League, Dotson gets to share in the tradition of training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

“It’s kind of one of those things where it makes you a Steeler,” Dotson said.

“I feel like you’re not officially a Steeler until you actually come here. There is a lot of history. We get to bond and stuff. That is something we haven’t been able to do a last few years. I’m glad to be able to do that.”

It’s a traditional that dates back 50 years.

Each and every player has mentioned what specific items they need most to make themselves comfortable. Mithcell Trubisky said a pillow and black out curtains.

For Dotson he needed a mattress that suited his 6-foot-4 and 321lb. frame.

“I rented a king size bed,” Dotson said. “Sleeping great. I can’t sleep in a dorm bed (laughing). I pretty much put everything in my car. Just in case I need something I can go to me car.”

Comradery is at the heart of camp. The bonding experience is nothing that can compare to typical practice days at Heinz Field. This setting is football 24/7. No outsiders, just teammates.

The offensive line is littered with new faces heading into the 2022 campaign. It is imperative that these guys begin to mesh with one another. Training camp at St. Vincent College enhances that to come to fruition.

“I feel like it has been one of the smoothest transitions,” Dotson said. “It felt like there was no hiccup when it comes to like us knowing one another or getting to know one another.”

It extends beyond his positional group. Dotson feels that others are stepping into the leadership role.

“I feel like our quarterbacks are stepping up, Dotson said. “Doing what they need to do. That’s pretty much what that position calls for. Cam stands up. He’s pretty much next in line regardless and he has taken on that role seriously.”

A cohesive and healthy offensive line is going to be a huge boost for the Steelers overall success. Camp has indicated early on that everything is on point.