The Pittsburgh Steelers made Max Iheanachor, a relative newcomer to competitive football, the No. 21 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The former Arizona State offensive tackle moved to the U.S. from Nigeria at 13 and has only played football for four years.
Here's what to know about Iheanachor's path from relative football unknown to first-round NFL draft pick.
Iheanachor is a 6-foot-6, 321-pound offensive tackle from Arizona State. Despite not playing competitive football until community college, his mix of agility and athleticism allowed him to get through the 2025 season at ASU without allowing a sack.
Iheanachor impressed in the Senior Bowl, leading to a bevy of visits with NFL teams ahead of the draft.
"It’s a business, with teams bringing in all the guys they like or are interested in,” Iheanachor, 22, told USA TODAY Sports NFL columnist Jarrett Bell earlier in April, on the eve of a visit with the 49ers that came on the final day when teams could conduct such sessions.
“You just kind of talk to them eye-to-eye. The O-line coach, teaching you in a room, seeing how you retain information. They want to learn about your character as a player. It’s definitely been an awesome experience.”
Meet Max Iheanachor: 'Who in the hell is that kid?' From football beginner to NFL draft in 4 years
Here's what USA TODAY NFL draft expert Ayrton Ostley had to say about Iheanachor:
Impressive footwork thanks to his background in soccer and basketball. Good control in pass protection sets and uses his active hands. Great athleticism. Remains a bit raw as a tackle with an anchor that needs development. Could become a solid starter with time thanks to his potential.
Arizona Republic college sports reporter Michelle Gardner offered this report on the tackle:
One of the more intriguing figures in the draft, with stock soaring thanks to a good performance in the Senior Bowl and at the NFL Combine. The 6-5, 320-pounder has great agility for a player his size, his days playing soccer and basketball likely factors in that. He is a raw prospect, not having played the sport in high school and only picking it up in community college. He has played the sport for three years and left ASU having started 27 straight games despite his newness to the sport.
You'll want to learn this one, Steelers fans. It's ee-HANA-sure.
Sure, he won't be sprinting down the field often from his tackle spot, but Iheanachor's athleticism almost matched the NFL Scouting Combine record for his position. He ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash this year in Indianapolis, 0.01 seconds shy of the record.
"The climb is there,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said during a video conference with reporters. “Every time I watched him in the fall, to when I watched him at the Senior Bowl – from the beginning of the week to the end of the week – the guy just keeps getting better and better. He just continues to ride that wave.”
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaThe first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.Above, A detailed view of the stage showing a still of Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana on screen after being selected first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas TechDavid Bailey of Texas Tech poses after being selected second overall pick by the New York Jets during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre DameJeremiyah Love of Notre Dame poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio StateCarnell Tate of Ohio State poses after being selected fourth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio StateArvell Reese of Ohio State celebrates after being selected fifth overall pick by the New York Giants during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSUMansoor Delane of LSU celebrates after being selected sixth overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.