PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier and Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott are former first-round picks who developed their skills under coach Urban Meyer at Ohio State.

Sunday's Cowboys-Steelers matchup is a chance for the two to collide on the field like they did as Buckeyes. Back then, one-on-one practice drills called for linebackers to face off against running backs in a blocking position -- a sanitized version of the Oklahoma drill to avoid potential head collisions.

"We had some pretty good stalemates in college," said Shazier, who left Ohio State in 2014. "I don't think there was ever a time I smacked Zeke or he ran me over. But we had some pretty good hits."

Shazier vs. Elliott will be a crucial matchup as the Steelers try to contain the league's leading rusher. Shazier, who has elite speed for his position, is at his best when he's flying through a rushing hole for a diving tackle or working the field laterally in a zone defense.

He'll have his chances to bring down Elliott. The Steelers' goal is to gang tackle Elliott at every chance, with hopes of wearing him down.

Recalling Elliott at Ohio State, Shazier admits he didn't see a top-five pick at first because San Francisco 49ers back Carlos Hyde was getting most of the carries for the Buckeyes. But Elliott eventually won everyone over with his combination of size and speed.

"I was super impressed. I knew his freshman year he would be in the running for the Heisman eventually," Shazier said. "He was that good."

Shazier equates Elliott with Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade: a "slasher" who can be physical or "make a 3" when a big play is necessary.

The Steelers held the Baltimore Ravens to 50 yards on 29 carries last week, but Elliott hasn't recorded fewer than 83 yards in any of his past seven games.

At 225 pounds, Elliott weighs almost as much as Shazier, who is listed at 230.

"He hasn't hit the rookie slump yet," Shazier said. "A lot of guys sometimes hit a slump or things like that. He just continues to get running and do what he needs to do."