Carson Bruener
Carson Bruener is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Early life
Bruener attended Redmond [High School |Redmond High School]. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Washington Huskies.College career
In his first career game in week 3 of the 2021 season, Bruener made eight tackles and forced a fumble in a win over 2021 [Arkansas State Red Wolves football team|Arkansas State]. In week 9, he earned his first career start versus 2021 [Stanford Cardinal football team|Stanford], where he finished with 16 tackles with one and a half being for a loss, a sack and a half, and a forced fumble en route to being named the Pac-12 Conference freshman of the week and the Pac-12 defensive player of the week. In his first collegiate season in 2021, Bruener totaled 70 tackles with two and a half being for a loss, a sack and a half, two forced fumbles, and an interception.In the 2022 season, he tallied 45 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, and a pass deflections. In week 12 of the 2023 season, Bruener recorded 14 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection in a win over 2023 [Oregon State Beavers football team|Oregon State].
During the 2023 season, he notched 86 tackles with two and a half being for a loss, three pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble, earning honorable mention all-Pac-12 accolades.
In 2024 Bruener was voted a team captain and started all 13 games. He led the UW defense with 103 tackles and three interceptions. Bruener's outstanding play was recognized with third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. He also was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team.