Oct 7, 2015 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – As a youngster, Ross Cockrell told his parents he wanted to be a professional football player.

For many young players, making it to the NFL is only a dream. When both of your parents are Ivy League-educated as Keith and Serena Cockrell are – both hold degrees from Columbia University – that goal is often pushed aside.

Cockrell’s dream, however, became a reality when the 6-0, 190-pound cornerback was selected in the fourth round of the draft in 2014 by the Buffalo Bills.

But a coaching change in Buffalo this season caused Cockrell to get lost in the shuffle. He was released by the Bills in August and signed by the Steelers a week later when Cockrell replaced Doran Grant, Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick this year.

It was a strange signing considering it came a day after Pittsburgh set its initial 53-man roster, but he’s justified the faith in which the Steelers (2-2) showed in him.

Getting an opportunity to play in the nickel defense because of injuries to cornerbacks Cortez Allen and Brandon Boykin, Cockrell has taken advantage, making seven tackles an interception and a fumble recovery.

Though Allen and Boykin are now healthy, Cockrell will likely again be the Steelers’ nickel cornerback Monday night when they play at San Diego (2-2) against the NFL’s passing yardage leader Philip Rivers.

“It’s a fine line between being the backup or a Pro Bowl-caliber player,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “Often, it’s preparation and opportunity. He’s prepared and taking advantage of an opportunity.”

Nobody is ready to send Cockrell to the Pro Bowl just yet, but coming off a game last Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens in which he had both an interception and an impressive fumble recovery along the sideline, the arrow on Cockrell’s progress is certainly pointed in the right direction.

The interception and fumble recovery were both big plays. Cockrell, however, was more focused on the one play he didn’t make when he was beaten by Ravens receiver Kamar Aiken for a touchdown.

“I can’t give up those touchdowns,” Cockrell said. “I can’t give up those points.”

To say Cockrell is driven would be an understatement. He holds a degree in political science from Duke with a certificate in markets and management studies. He spent his final season for the Blue Devils, for whom he was a two-time team captain, working on his graduate degree in political science.

He excelled on the football field as well, earning All-ACC honors, intercepting 12 career passes and breaking up 53. The Blue Devils improved from 3-9 in his first season in the lineup to 10-4 in his last.

“Hard work and effort, some of those old things that kind of get lost along the way with the more talent you have,” Cockrell said were keys to the turnaround. “It was a really great feeling because we know that we worked really hard for it. When it starts to roll around for you, then you really can’t describe it.”

He’s hoping to help the Steelers accomplish a similar turnaround this season. A year ago, Pittsburgh ranked 27th in the NFL in pass defense. The Steelers are currently 13th.

Cockrell has been a big part of that improvement despite having been with the team for just more than a month.

“I don’t think it says anything about me,” he said. “I think it says something about the organization, the team that we have. The guys have rallied around me, Cortez, both the Wills (Allen and Gay), (Antwon) Blake. The guys in the room have really taken me under their wing and make sure that I understand everything, the language, some of the things that would be different from Buffalo. I think that says a lot about this team.”

The Steelers liked Cockrell coming out of Duke. They had him in for a visit prior to last year’s draft but were beaten to the punch by Buffalo when it came time to draft him.

Fortunately for the Steelers, the Bills decided release the young cornerback.

“It definitely re-ignites the fire in you because you lost something that you played your whole life,” Cockrell said. “It’s just a crazy feeling.

“I’m not really sure how it happened. The way I look at it, I had a chance in the offseason and at practices to make plays. I don’t think I made enough plays and that showed.”

He won’t make the same mistake twice.

After returning to practice Monday for the first time following his four-game suspension, wide receiver Martavis Bryant said he sat out yesterday because of an injury. Bryant plans to practice Thursday. … Le’Veon Bell’s 129 rushing yards against Baltimore was the first time a Steelers running back had a 100-yard game against the Ravens since Jerome Bettis had 117 in a 20-7 victory in 2004.