Career Summary

Gabe Rubio is a defensive lineman drafted by Pittsburgh in 2026.

Also listed as Gabriel Rubio, he played college football at Notre Dame before the Steelers selected him in the sixth round.

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Early Life

Rubio comes from a football family in Missouri.

Notre Dame lists his hometown as St. Louis. His parents are Theresa and Angel Rubio, and his father was a college All-American who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1998.

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High School

Rubio attended Lutheran of St. Charles County.

He played for coach Arlen Harris and earned second-team All-Missouri recognition from MaxPreps in 2019. Recruiting services rated him a four-star prospect.

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College Career

Rubio played at Notre Dame from 2021 through 2025.

He made his first appearance in the Fiesta Bowl following the 2021 season. In 2024, he recorded 24 tackles across 11 games and made starts during Notre Dame's playoff run.

His final season included six games, five starts and 13 tackles before injury ended his season.

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Path to the NFL

The Steelers selected Rubio with the 210th overall pick.

He entered the NFL in the sixth round of the 2026 draft, joining the same organization that had drafted his father.

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NFL Career

Rubio joined Pittsburgh's defensive line in 2026.

The Steelers list him as a rookie defensive end wearing number 96.

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Career Accomplishments

Rubio received national watch-list recognition at Notre Dame.

He was named to the 2025 Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Watch List.

Section reviewed 2026-09-15