Signed a new four-year contract with the Steelers on July 27, 2017…signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Steelers on January 5, 2015…signed to the Steelers’ practice squad on August 31, 2014…released by the Eagles on August 23, 2014…originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 5, 2014.
Started all 16 games during the regular season…part of an offensive line that yielded just 24 sacks – tied as third-fewest in the NFL
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Named to his first Pro Bowl in 2017.
- Entering the 2018 season, has played in 48 consecutive regular season games – tied for the fourth-longest streak among active NFL tackles.
PRO (48-42/6-6): Signed a new four-year contract with the Steelers on July 27, 2017…signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Steelers on January 5, 2015…signed to the Steelers’ practice squad on August 31, 2014…released by the Eagles on August 23, 2014…originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 5, 2014.
2017 (16-16/1-1): Started all 16 games during the regular season…part of an offensive line that yielded just 24 sacks – tied as third-fewest in the NFL
- 10/1 at Baltimore: Part of an offensive line that helped block for RB Le’Veon Bell to rush for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
- 10/15 at Kansas City: Part of an offensive line that helped block for RB Le’Veon Bell to rush for 179 yards and one touchdown, which ties for the tenth-most rushing yards in a single game in Steelers history.
- 10/22 vs. Cincinnati: Part of an offensive line that gave up zero sacks and helped block for RB Le’Veon Bell to rush for 134 yards.
- 12/25 at Houston: Part of an offensive line that gave up zero sacks.
2016 (16-16/3-3): Saw action in all 16 games during the regular season…was part of an offensive line that allowed just 17.0 sacks on QB Ben Roethlisberger, the fewest sacks he has ever taken in a single-season in his career…also a part of an offensive line that paved the way for RB Le’Veon Bell to lead the NFL in scrimmage yards per game (157.0), and to set the team’s single-game record for most rushing yards in the regular season (236, Week 14 at Buffalo) and in the postseason (170, AFC Divisional Playoff at Kansas City)…started all three postseason contests.
- 9/12 at Washington: Was part of an offensive line that helped block for a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver.
- 10/2 vs. Kansas City: Was part of an offensive line that helped block for Roethlisberger to throw for 300 yards with five touchdowns and for Bell to rush for 144 yards.
- 11/20 at Cleveland: Was part of an offensive line that helped block for Bell to rush for 146 yards…was also a part of an offensive line that gave up zero sacks.
- 11/24 at Indianapolis: Was part of an offensive line that didn’t allow a sack for the second straight game.
- 12/11 at Buffalo: Was part of an offensive line that helped block for Bell to rush for a team record 236 yards…was also a part of an offensive line that allowed zero sacks.
- 12/25 vs. Baltimore: Was part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack.
- AFC Divisional Playoff 1/15 at Kansas City: Was part of an offensive line that blocked for Bell to rush for a Steelers’ postseason single-game record 170 yards.
2015 (16-10/2-2): Played in all 16 games, making 10 starts at LT during the regular season…made his NFL debut 9/10 at New England…started his first NFL contest 10/25 at Kansas City…was part of an offensive line that helped block for an offense that produced at least 450 net yards for four straight regular-season games, tying an NFL record...also started both postseason contests at LT.
2014 (0-0/0-0): Spent the entire season on the Steelers’ practice squad.
COLLEGE: A versatile player who started 24-of-28 games he played at Army (2006-2009)…saw action at wide receiver, left tackle and on the defensive line…as a wide receiver, led the team in receptions (34), receiving yards (522) and receiving touchdowns (5) in 2009…as a left tackle, started all 12 games in 2008…majored in systems engineering.
PERSONAL: Attended SHAPE American High School (Casteau, Belgium)…spent 2010-13 as an active member of the U.S. Army and served three tours in Afghanistan…was promoted to ranking of Captain in April of 2014…earned numerous honors for his service, including the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge, the Bronze Star Medal for overseas service, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Expert Infantryman’s Badge…son of Ignacio and Mati Villanueva…his father was a Lieutenant Commander in the Spanish Navy and also worked for NATO throughout Europe…is married to Maddy…Full name: Alejandro Villanueva.
