Exclusive with Steelers Camp Invite, Duquesne Wide Receiver Dwayne Menders

First off – how did the tryout opportunity come about for you?

I’ve been training for a couple of months now here in Miami – I’m from here. I had a lot of interest before the draft from teams – Miami, Packers, Vikings, Texans, Jaguars, Bears and the Steelers all showed interest.

At my pro day the Steelers stayed and talked to me for a while. Casey Weidl and Phil Kreidler told me they liked my elusiveness, speed and the way I ran routes.

Why did you choose Pittsburgh to sign with and what do you think they are looking for from you most?

I talked to my agent – the Steelers took no wide receivers this draft class, so that was a good sign. I’m not just a receiver – I can return kicks and punts. I know my ability on special teams – what I can bring to the league there can get my foot in the door.

I’m a speedster and in the return game and as a receiver I can get the ball downfield.

Have you spoken to fellow Duquesne alum Christian Kuntz about Pittsburgh – get any tips?

I talked to him last year – I had just transferred to Duquesne and he told me about the city. He gave me a good feel about Pittsburgh. I love the city – I was excited to find out that I got  camp invite with the team. It’s a city that’s all about football – that’s all everybody talks about. The black and yellow!

How did Duquesne help prepare you now of the NFL – what did you learn most from your time there?

Coach Doria and my Wide Receivers Coach, Luke Smith, they groomed me well. They showed me how to view the game differently. How not to rush things and not to think too much – to play with a free mind. That’s what they said a lot – “Play with a free mind.” They helped show me how to pick up on coverages – whether in the film room or on the field.

Anything in your game you think you need to improve upon, or that you think you excel most at?

The one thing In can say is that my game has improved so much already since I’ve been in college. I don’t think there’s any one thing I need to improve on – I just need to continue to work on everything.

As for what I do well – I run good routes. I don’t get touched on the line due to my quickness. I’m sure-handed and track the ball well. I’m 5’10”, but I play like I’m 6’4″ when the ball is in the air.

What makes you a good special teams player?

I didn’t play on special teams until college. As a Freshman they made me realize I could be a good returner. I have good vision and make the right cuts – I have good instincts. Whether it’s going back door or cutting across the field, they groomed me well to be good at both punt and kick returns.

Is there anyone you mirror your game after most?

Oh yeah – Antonio Brown. He’s my favorite wide receiver. He’s from my hometown and I met him a couple of times and had a workout with him.

What did he show you in the workout?

He gave me a lot of key pointers. He told me to stay mellow in my routes – not to show too much shoulder to defensive backs in my routes and to look at them in their face when in routes.

What should we know about you that has nothing to do with football?

Here’s a story for you. I have one sister and had a little brother who passed away as a baby – he was born premature. My two parents are still together. I played football because my grandmother out me in the sport before she passed away.

My dad was my basketball coach growing up. One day I told him I didn’t want to play basketball any more. He wasn’t happy. That’s when my grandmother put me in football. he was pissed but I was a little kid so there wasn’t much he could say. He was mad at my grandmother but she told him to let me see what I really likes to do.

I bet he’s happy now seeing you get this chance?

Oh yes definitely. He’s happy now.

Lastly, what are you looking forward to most about mini-camp?

I’m just excited to go out there and compete. To show the team that I’m here to stay. I’ve been an underdog my whole life, so this is nothing new for me. I’m just excited to go in to camp and show what I can do. I just want to make my parents and school proud.

Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades.  To order, just click on the book: