Eli Heidenreich
_(cropped).jpg) Heidenreich in 2026 | |
| No. 29 – Pittsburgh Steelers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Roster status | Active |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 28, 2003 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 198 lb (90 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Mt. Lebanon (Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania) |
| College | Navy (2022–2025) |
| NFL draft | 2026: 7th round, 230th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Elijah Heidenreich (born July 28, 2003) is an American professional football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Navy Midshipmen and was selected by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Early life
Heidenreich attended Mt. Lebanon High School in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. During his senior season, he finished with 54 catches for 1,325 yards and 28 touchdowns, leading his team to a state championship.[1] Coming out of high school, Heidenreich committed to play college football for the Navy Midshipmen.[2]
College career
During his first season in 2022, he did not appear in any games.[3] During the 2023 season, Heidenreich notched 214 rushing yards and a touchdown, while also bringing in 19 receptions for 382 yards and four touchdowns.[4] In week six of the 2024 season, he notched 100 yards on the ground, while also hauling in five passes for 101 yards in a win against rival Air Force.[5] He finished the 2024 season, rushing for 444 yards and three touchdowns, while also hauling in 39 passes for 671 yards and six touchdowns.[6] In week six of the 2025 season, Heidenreich recorded eight receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns in a win over rival Air Force, where he set team records for receiving yards in a game, and career receiving touchdowns.[7][8] In week twelve, he set the Navy all-time receiving yards record surpassing Rob Taylor, after hauling in five passes for 146 yards in an upset win over South Florida.[9][10] For his performance during the 2025 season, Heidenreich was invited to participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.[11]
Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
| 2022 | Navy | 0 | Did not play | |||||||
| 2023 | Navy | 12 | 27 | 214 | 7.9 | 1 | 19 | 382 | 20.1 | 4 |
| 2024 | Navy | 13 | 65 | 444 | 6.8 | 3 | 39 | 671 | 17.2 | 6 |
| 2025 | Navy | 13 | 77 | 499 | 6.5 | 3 | 51 | 941 | 18.5 | 6 |
| Career | 38 | 169 | 1,157 | 6.8 | 7 | 109 | 1,994 | 18.3 | 16 | |
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 198 lb (90 kg) | 29+1⁄4 in (0.74 m) | 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | 6 ft 1+1⁄4 in (1.86 m) | 4.44 s | 1.55 s | 2.57 s | 4.22 s | 6.55 s | 36.0 in (0.91 m) | 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) | 16 reps |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[12][13] | ||||||||||||
In the 2026 NFL draft, Heidenreich was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round with the 230th-overall pick.[14]
Military commitment
Heidenreich committed to serving in the United States Marine Corps following his football playing career. While in the NFL, however, he will have limited to no obligations for his military service.[15]
References
- ↑ Rizzo, Jacob. "Mt. Lebanon Graduate Eli Heidenreich Sets Navy Receiving Record in Win". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Harlan, Chris. "Mt. Lebanon's Eli Heidenreich follows family tradition, commits to Navy". Trib HSSN. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Wagner, Bill (November 23, 2023). "Navy football slotback Eli Heidenreich is a versatile player capable of lining up anywhere on the field". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Eli Heidenreich Parents". Sportskeeda. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Wagner, Bill (October 11, 2024). "Navy football's Eli Heidenreich earns recognition for performance versus Air Force". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Jackson, Luke (August 25, 2025). "Navy Football's Eli Heidenreich, Alex Tecza Share Path From High School To Annapolis". Press Box Online. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Wilson, Nina (October 13, 2025). "Navy Football's Eli Heidenreich: Leaping Into Dad's Arms 'Really Special Moment'". Press Box Online. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Silverman, Blake. "Navy WR Eli Heidenreich Celebrates With Dad in Stands After School-Record Day". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Quillen, Ian. "Eli Heidenreich sets Navy's all-time receiving record as Midshipmen stun South Florida". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Eli Heidenreich sets Navy receiving mark in win". ESPN. November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Wagner, Bill (November 12, 2025). "East-West Shrine Bowl invite solidifies Navy football's Eli Heidenreich's status as pro prospect". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Eli Heidenreich Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Eli Heidenreich College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ Varley, Teresa (April 25, 2026). "Steelers select Heidenreich in seventh round". Steelers.com. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Five Fast Facts: Eli Heidenreich". steelers-frontend.pocket.nfl.com. Retrieved July 29, 2026.