Former Kentucky CB Brandin Echols Signs with Steelers, Immediately Recruits Aaron Rodgers

It happens often in the high school recruiting ranks. One player commits to a school, then immediately shares who they want to bring with them. Former Kentucky CB Brandin Echols did that on Thursday with one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Echols signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. The terms of the 2-year deal are not yet public. Shortly after the move was official, he spoke with the media.

While some Steelers fans were happy to hear they added the former New York Jet, they’re a little more interested in one of his former teammates. Pittsburgh appears to be the most likely destination for free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but like so many other times in his career, the team is playing the waiting game with Rodgers. Reporters asked Echols for his thoughts on Rodgers.

“It was cool, man. When he first got there I couldn’t really feel him out, but after a while, we kind of gravitated towards each other. In practices, he started try to attack me, but it was for the betterment of me and I would say having him around, it did make me a better football player,” Echols said of Rodgers.

They asked if Echols would be recruiting him to Pittsburgh. “Hell yeah,” he said. “Tell his ass to come on.”

Echols was a high school quarterback who cut his teeth playing defense in the junior college ranks. He signed to play with Kentucky ahead of the 2019 season and recorded 108 tackles and 11 pass deflections over two seasons.

The New York Jets selected Echols in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He started in 14 games as a rookie and picked off two passes, including a pick six. He caught one of those interceptions from Tom Brady, then got the GOAT to sign the ball after the game.

Echols started in 19 games over the last four years. He has five interceptions, two pick-sixes, and 16 pass deflections. Mike Tomlin is a big fan of Mark Stoops players. After two seasons without a Kentucky Wildcat, The Standard is once again The Standard in Pittsburgh.

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