BREAKING: Former Cocoa Tiger Jamel Dean Signs With Pittsburgh Steelers
By Space Coast Daily // March 9, 2026
Class of 2020 - Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame
2020 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame: Cocoa Tigers Football’s Jamel Dean’s Tenacity, Accomplishments Earn Him Induction into Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Space Coast Sports Hall of Famer Jamel Dean is continuing his NFL career with a new team after reportedly signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking a new chapter for the former Cocoa Tiger standout.
NFL Media reports that Dean has agreed to a three-year deal in Pittsburgh. The deal is worth $36.75 million.
Dean, a graduate of Cocoa High School, rose to prominence as one of the top defensive backs in Brevard County history before eventually reaching the NFL.
During his time with the Tigers, he earned multiple honors, including being named Brevard County Player of the Year and a first-team Class 4A All-State selection.
After his high school career, Dean went on to play college football at Auburn University, where he developed into a standout cornerback. His speed and athleticism helped him earn an invitation to the NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 41-inch vertical jump.
Jamel Dean was among former Cocoa High School head coach John Wilkinson’s best two-way players during his Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame career for the Tigers.
Playing on back-to-back 11-2 state playoff teams for coach Wilkinson, Dean was a two-time Florida first-team Class 4A all-state pick at Cocoa High, totaling 975 offensive yards, including 22 receptions and 15 touchdowns in 2014 to earn all-state honors as a receiver.
He also had 38 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception in 2013 and also had seven pass breakups as a senior and scored nine touchdowns as a junior.
In 2013, Dean was named Friday Night Locker Room – Space Coast Daily Player of the Game for Week 9 as he had 135 return yards (68-yard kickoff return for a TD and 67-yard punt return) and 45 yards receiving.
Dean entered the NFL when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. During his time in Tampa Bay, he became a key contributor in the secondary and helped the team win Super Bowl LV.
Over several seasons with the Buccaneers, Dean established himself as a starting cornerback, recording dozens of tackles, pass breakups, and interceptions while regularly matching up against some of the league’s top receivers.
Now with the Steelers, Dean brings veteran experience and proven playmaking ability to Pittsburgh’s defense. The move also continues a strong tradition of Cocoa High School football players reaching the professional ranks and achieving great success.
He is the son of Yolanda Kimbrough and James Dean and has four brothers including Derrick Jr., James Jr., Jamaine and Jayden. He received his bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts from Auburn University in May 2018.
