Before the 2017 NFL Draft even took place, I was running through a myriad of potential draft selections the Pittsburgh Steelers could make. Most of the young guys I was scouting were players who played positions of need for Pittsburgh, but a few caught my eye for other reasons; they had interesting backgrounds, had excelled in their respective college program or had a story that stood out as one that sounded like something Art Rooney, Jr., would have written about in his book, Ruanaidh: The Story of Art Rooney and His Clan.

In that book, Rooney, Jr., offered a lot of insight into the character of several players that have worn the black and gold over the years, including during his childhood, and every once in a while a modern player seems to fit into that same mold of hard-working, personality-filled athlete that is more than meets the eye. As I studied and scouted, one story stuck out to me, but I didn’t expect the Steelers would ever place his name on their big board. He seemed to be a charismatic and talented player, but he played a position that Pittsburgh already had loaded with talent: wide receiver.

As I dug a little deeper, however, into this young man’s story, I had that feeling that seeing him in a Steelers jersey wasn’t completely out of the question, but when his name was announced by Franco Harris from the podium in Philadelphia, PA, I realized that the magic was real for John Sherman “JuJu” Smith-Schuster. The youngest guy at the NFL Combine aside, there was an underlying maturity mixed with a fun-loving nature that was endearing – and after the season he had in 2017, as the sport’s youngest player, it’s perfect that Smith-Schuster receives Rookie of the Year honors.

Ahead of the draft, Paolo Uggetti had written an article for The Ringer titled, “The Young Hope” that has been bookmarked on my laptop since April. It was a great piece about the University of Southern California and Smith-Schuster; the fact that receivers who’d entered the NFL from USC hadn’t seemed to break out in a big way but there was hope that Smith-Schuster would change that. “I get a lot of media heat about USC wide receivers not producing in the NFL,” Smith-Schuster told Uggetti in the article. “I tell them, ‘Look, everyone’s different. I’m my own person. And I’m here to prove everybody wrong.'” Despite looking up to Marqise Lee, Robert Woods and Nelson Agholor – all former USC receivers – Smith-Schuster wanted to be his own man, play his own style of football.

The second-oldest child (of seven) and son of Lawrence and Sammy Toa Schuster was raised in Long Beach, California, and was surrounded by a loving family that included members of a large Samoan community in southern California. As a kid, he was just John. An aunt, who initially called him “John-John”, dubbed him with the “JuJu” moniker Smith-Schuster is now forever known for. For many, the word “juju” may have negative or positive connotations, association with superstition or magical powers. In Smith-Schuster’s case, it very well may have become a reflection of the charm he seems to carry with him no matter where he goes. “JuJu is a kid at heart, and that’s the way he’s always been,” his mother, Sammy, told Uggetti. “But I think when JuJu needs to be mature or when he needs to be an adult, he switches over to that.”

Smith-Schuster played under Tee Martin as USC’s wide receivers coach. Martin, a former fifth-round draft pick in 2000 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, played quarterback as a pro but recognized the level of maturity JuJu had mixed in with all the boyish pranks – like not telling his mother the truth about where he’d planned to play his college ball until he was on camera and grabbed a USC hat – and ability to show a love of life. Martin found that Smith-Schuster reminded him of former Steelers teammate Hines Ward (who played with Martin in 2001) – a tough guy on the field who always did things with a smile.

In the final game of the 2017 regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Cleveland Browns. Star receiver Antonio Brown was sidelined due to injury, but it wasn’t a veteran that Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley watched step up at just the right time, but their rookie. With most of the Steelers’ ‘starters’ being rested against the 0-15 Browns in anticipation of their upcoming post-season play, Smith-Schuster caught nine passes from backup quarterback Landry Jones for 143 yards (15.9 yards per play average) and a touchdown. That helped the Steelers to put points on the scoreboard, remain in the game, and obtain a desired first-round ‘bye’ in the playoffs. What sealed the win was Smith-Schuster stepping into a different role and catching everyone by surprise.

Lined up deep to take the kickoff, Smith-Schuster used a little ‘juju’ with quick cuts, nice stiff-arm action and broke free for a 96-yard kick return for a touchdown. The touchdown would give the Steelers the lead in the game; one that they did not relinquish. With his performance in Week 17, Smith-Schuster became the youngest player in NFL history to have over 1,000 all-purpose yards.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/948583288347570176

On December 28, Smith-Schuster was given the Joe Greene Great Performance Award as the Steelers’ 2017 Rookie of the Year. Asked by Chris Adamski of Pittsburgh’s Trib Live what the most challenging part about excelling on the field as the NFL’s youngest player in 2017 was, Smith-Schuster responded by saying, “Honestly, I would say sleep… I just like to be up playing video games, doing what young people do, social media – and then go to bed at like 2 a.m. So I’m still trying to find out how to balance that out.”

On Thursday, The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced they’d selected Smith-Schuster as their 2017 recipient of the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award. That award recognizes the most outstanding professional football player of Polynesian Ancestry.

All the early accolades Smith-Schuster has received may help the Associated Press with their decision on who to name as the official NFL Rookie of the Year this season.

Our Steel City Underground team were mainly in consensus that Smith-Schuster win the title of Steelers Rookie of the Year this season with just Joe, Tommy and Noah selecting T.J. Watt (who would be my pick for DROY).

What makes me pick JuJu is thinking about where this team would be without him. When Martavis Bryant was in his slump and teams double/triple covered Antonio Brown, he stepped up. When Brown got injured and the team needed a new #1 receiver, he stepped up. And maybe most importantly, when this team has needed a big play, JuJu always steps up. JuJu has proven to be a clutch player that doesn’t shy away in big moments, and I don’t think the Steelers would have the record they have now without him. – Eric Herrmann, Managing Editor of Steel City Underground

Beloved by his coaches, his teammates, and the Steelers’ fanbase, Smith-Schuster was indeed the receiver Pittsburgh needed. His energy has infused every aspect of the Steelers’ game. You can tell that he loves the game and he loves being a part of this Steelers team. “Magic” is a great way to describe the type of season this young man has had in 2017. All of this is what makes JuJu Smith-Schuster perfect for Rookie of the Year honors.