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Carson Bruener Follows Father’s Legacy, Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers
In a heartwarming twist of fate, Carson Bruener, linebacker from the University of Washington, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This is a full-circle moment for the Bruener family as Carson now joins the same team that drafted his father, Mark, 30 years ago. Both father and son also share the distinction of having played for the Washington Huskies, making this a story of legacy and family ties.
On day three of the draft, Carson sat in the same family cabin in Washington, in the exact same seat where his father received his draft call in 1995. Mark, a former All-American tight end at Washington and a first-round pick for the Steelers, was by his son’s side, having flown in from Pittsburgh’s war room to share the moment. Now a West Coast scout for the Steelers, Mark had no inside scoop on the pick. “We were just talking, and he said, ‘I could see the Steelers taking you next,’” Carson recalled, “Two seconds later, the phone rang. It was surreal.”
Carson’s path to the NFL wasn’t easy. Growing up as “Mark’s son,” he faced immense pressure to carve his own identity at Washington, where his father is a Huskies Hall of Famer. For someone that has always been intorduced as "Carson Bruener, Mark’s son,” he found a way to carve out his own legacy at Washington. Carson was one of two starters that came back after the Huksies' football team was completely dismantled after 15 players left in the draft and then a mass exodus into the transfer portal when a mere four days after Washington fell to Michigan in the national championship, head coach Kalen Deboer announced he was leaving for Alabama. But, Carson not only stayed, he became the leader of the team. During his time on Montlake, Bruener amassed 306 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and five interceptions over 52 games. In 2024, as the team captain, he led the Huskies with 104 tackles and three interceptions, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin emphasized that Carson’s selection was merit-based. “We’re on the phone with him because of his résumé,” Tomlin said, praising Carson’s instincts and 4.58-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. With a crowded linebacker room featuring Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, Carson’s immediate path likely lies in special teams, where he excelled at Washington. The opportunity to play and be mentored by Patrick Queen could be a huge asset for Bruener finding him way into the defensive rotation.
The younger Bruener made sure he handled his interview with the Steelers without his father. Alex Katson or HuskiesWire.com had the chance to interview Carson and asked about the process of meeting with the Steelers.
Katson asked if Mark was in the meeting or if he stepped away for it, Bruener replied, “ Oh, I did not allow him to be there. [Laughs.] I met with another scout and my dad was kinda sitting there and I was like, ‘No, no. You can leave.’ You don’t even need to eavesdrop. You know everything about me, so what are you doing here? Go do your job. He’s like, ‘alright, alright. I’ll leave you be.’ I’m like, you know everything about me. You don’t need to write anything down.”
For the Bruener family, this draft pick is more than a milestone, it is another part of the journey from Washington to Pittsburgh, and their continuation of their love for football. As Carson steps onto the field for the Steelers, he carries his father’s legacy while forging his own.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Carson Bruener carries his father legacy, but on his own terms
Continue reading...
In a heartwarming twist of fate, Carson Bruener, linebacker from the University of Washington, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This is a full-circle moment for the Bruener family as Carson now joins the same team that drafted his father, Mark, 30 years ago. Both father and son also share the distinction of having played for the Washington Huskies, making this a story of legacy and family ties.
On day three of the draft, Carson sat in the same family cabin in Washington, in the exact same seat where his father received his draft call in 1995. Mark, a former All-American tight end at Washington and a first-round pick for the Steelers, was by his son’s side, having flown in from Pittsburgh’s war room to share the moment. Now a West Coast scout for the Steelers, Mark had no inside scoop on the pick. “We were just talking, and he said, ‘I could see the Steelers taking you next,’” Carson recalled, “Two seconds later, the phone rang. It was surreal.”
Carson’s path to the NFL wasn’t easy. Growing up as “Mark’s son,” he faced immense pressure to carve his own identity at Washington, where his father is a Huskies Hall of Famer. For someone that has always been intorduced as "Carson Bruener, Mark’s son,” he found a way to carve out his own legacy at Washington. Carson was one of two starters that came back after the Huksies' football team was completely dismantled after 15 players left in the draft and then a mass exodus into the transfer portal when a mere four days after Washington fell to Michigan in the national championship, head coach Kalen Deboer announced he was leaving for Alabama. But, Carson not only stayed, he became the leader of the team. During his time on Montlake, Bruener amassed 306 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and five interceptions over 52 games. In 2024, as the team captain, he led the Huskies with 104 tackles and three interceptions, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin emphasized that Carson’s selection was merit-based. “We’re on the phone with him because of his résumé,” Tomlin said, praising Carson’s instincts and 4.58-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. With a crowded linebacker room featuring Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, Carson’s immediate path likely lies in special teams, where he excelled at Washington. The opportunity to play and be mentored by Patrick Queen could be a huge asset for Bruener finding him way into the defensive rotation.
The younger Bruener made sure he handled his interview with the Steelers without his father. Alex Katson or HuskiesWire.com had the chance to interview Carson and asked about the process of meeting with the Steelers.
Katson asked if Mark was in the meeting or if he stepped away for it, Bruener replied, “ Oh, I did not allow him to be there. [Laughs.] I met with another scout and my dad was kinda sitting there and I was like, ‘No, no. You can leave.’ You don’t even need to eavesdrop. You know everything about me, so what are you doing here? Go do your job. He’s like, ‘alright, alright. I’ll leave you be.’ I’m like, you know everything about me. You don’t need to write anything down.”
For the Bruener family, this draft pick is more than a milestone, it is another part of the journey from Washington to Pittsburgh, and their continuation of their love for football. As Carson steps onto the field for the Steelers, he carries his father’s legacy while forging his own.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Carson Bruener carries his father legacy, but on his own terms
Continue reading...
