Kauai native and Saint Louis alumnus Nick Herbig has found his first NFL home.

Herbig, who had a standout college career as a linebacker at the University of Wisconsin, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers, joining his brother, Nate. It’s where the younger Herbig always wanted to be.

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“I manifested this to play with my brother. Everybody that’s been asking me what team I want to play for, it’s the Steelers. I want to play with my brother,” Nick Herbig told KHON2 on Saturday morning. “That’s something that’s never been done before, especially from Kalaheo, Kauai, two brothers together on the same team, it’s crazy. Just the fact that now we’re gonna be living together, doing everything together, that’s my best friend. He’s my mentor, he’s my leader, he’s everything I ever wanted to be. Now that I get the chance to share this dream with him on the same team, I just can’t thank God enough for putting us in this position.”

Herbig was selected with the 30th pick of the fourth round with the 132nd overall selection. He is the first player with Hawaii ties selected in the NFL Draft since former University of Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald in 2020.

“I can’t put it into words. I’ve worked my whole life for this. Being from Kalaheo, Kauai, this doesn’t happen, let alone with my brother. I don’t think you could write a better story than this. Just at a loss for words, really. I don’t know what to say. I’m just blessed. Proud to be from Kauai. Wasn’t much words being said. Tears of joy and congratulations,” Herbig said from his draft party in Arizona. “A lot of my family’s here right now. It was everything I ever dreamed about. It’s all I ever wanted my whole life. To be able to experience it with my family, I don’t even know what to say.”

In Pittsburgh, the two Herbig brothers now plan to room together. But beyond that, they hope to be part of a core that brings the Steelers back to glory. The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for most Super Bowl victories of all time with six, but have not won one since 2008.

“They’re getting a dog. They’re getting a player that’s gonna do everything in my ability to bring this team a Super Bowl,” Herbig said. “Pittsburgh hasn’t had a Super Bowl winner in a long time. I plan on helping us get back to who the Steelers are, that Steel Curtain, that black and gold, baby. We’re coming.”

Remarkably, the NFL won’t be the first time the Herbig brothers have been teammates on the gridiron despite their age gap. The two played youth football for the Kauai Bulldogs while Nick was in second grade and Nate was in middle school.

With the Steelers, Herbig is part of a draft class where he’ll be reunited with college teammate Keanu Benton. He also joins a franchise with a heavy emphasis on family, as fellow rookie Joey Porter Jr.’s father played for the team from 1999 to 2006. Additionally, brothers Cameron and Connor Hayward also play for the team. Brothers Derek Watt and 2021 Defensive Player of the year T.J. Watt also played together on the team, though Derek is currently a free agent.

“It’s crazy because T.J. is one of my mentors,” Herbig said. “Somebody I looked up to, somebody I watched film all the time on and fortunately had the chance to talk to him and work out with him and now that we’re gonna be on the same team, everything’s coming full circle. This is supposed to happen. I’m supposed to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. I feel it in my heart, mind, body and soul. This is what God wanted for me and my family.”