Here is an updated look at the Seahawks' reported undrafted free agent signees.
As of Monday night, the Seahawks have yet to officially release a list of their undrafted rookie free agents.
But Seattle general manager John Schneider spoke about a few of them during an appearing Monday morning on 710 ESPN Seattle, saying that the team signed 13 and mentioning eight by name — QB Trevone Boykin, RB Tre Madden, S Tyvis Powell, LB Christian French, CB DeAndre Elliot, LB Montese Overton, TE George Fant and DT Brandin Bryant. Also, the signing of DT Lars Koht has been confirmed.
To clarify, players who sign as undrafted free agents are rookies who have a contract with the Seahawks and become part of the 90-man roster. Teams can also invite players to try out at the rookie mini-camp this weekend. That’s what Oregon QB Vernon Adams is doing — though it’s worth noting that since he’s just trying out, he could sign a contract with any team at any time — and also what a few others are doing (with some players reported as signed possibly coming as tryout players only).
With Schneider having confirmed some of the signings, we’ll revise our list of players who had been reported or confirmed as having signed
First, a look at those confirmed as signing with a few added comments:
QB Trevone Boykin,TCU: Boykin was one of the most productive QBs in college football a year ago but his 5-11 size has had some wondering if he can play that spot in the NFL. Seattle reportedly signed him to a 15,000 bonus and $15,000 guaranteed, indicative of a pretty aggressive attempt to get him. Boykin will join college teammate Joey Hunt, a center drafted by Seattle in the sixth round. Boykin was suspended for the Alamo Bowl against Oregon and now could be competing with the QB he didn’t get to face in that game — Oregon’s Adams — for a roster spot with the Seahawks.Schneider said Monday that “the only reason he was not drafted is because of the situation he got in when he made a very, very poor decision the week before their bowl game.” That’s a reference to Boykin being charged with striking an officer during a bar fight and being suspended for the game (details here).
DT Brandin Bryant, Florida Atlantic University: Bryant was regarded as potentially a late-round pick and at a listed 6-3, 300 pounds looks like another candidate at the nose and three-technique spots. Intriguingly, Schneider said the team plans to experiment with Bryant as a fullback saying “he’ll play fullback for us, too, a real athletic guy, 280-pounder running 4.86 (40).” The Seahawks are also apparently planning to use former UW defensive tackle Taniela Tupou as a fullback when he participates this weekend as a tryout player.
CB DeAndre Elliot, Colorado State: Some regarded Elliott as potentially a fourth- or fifth-round pick and he had a 41-inch vertical leap at the NFL combine. Size — 6-1, 188 pounds — is intriguing. Schneider said of Elliot that “there was a chance we would have taken him. He fits the mold of Jeremy (Lane) actually.”
TE George Fant, Western Kentucky: Fant has one of the more interesting back stories of anyone on this list as a former basketball player who turned to football last season. Fant caught just one pass for seven yards last season so he’s a project. But standing almost 6-6 and weighing 296 pounds while running a 4.83 40 is eye-catching.
LB Christian French, Oregon: The 6-5, 245-pound French had a pre-draft visit to the VMAC and was reported to get a $5,000 signing bonus from the Seahawks. Appears to project as a candidate at strongside linebacker, where the Seahawks need to find a replacement for Bruce Irvin.
DL Lars Koht, Florida International: The 6-5, 283-pounder played tackle at FIU. Koht also has a black belt in karate and received a reported $2,000 bonus from the Seahawks.
RB Tre Madden, USC: Madden’s grandfather is former NFL RB Lawrence McCutcheon, who briefly played for the Seahawks in 1980. Madden initially signed with USC as a linebacker but later switched to the backfield. Is also known as a good receiver but has battled injuries throughout his college career, maybe the main reason he went undrafted. Listed at just over 6-foot and 223 pounds. Schneider said Madden could also be tried some at fullback
LB Montese Overton, East Carolina: Listed at just under 6-2 and 223 pounds, regarded as a safety/outside linebacker type. Attended the combine.
S Tyvis Powell, Ohio State: A team captain at Ohio State last season, Powell was the defensive MVP of the 2014 national title game win over Oregon. Another who declared early and didn’t get drafted. Listed at just under 6-3 and 211 pounds, appears to project as a strong safety, the position he played in college. Schneider said the Seahawks “had a very high grade” on Powell and that they were “surprised we were able to get him. …he was one of the last players to commit so we were trying to save a little bit of cash for him.”
Here are other players that have been linked to the Seahawks, with some likely having signed and others coming as tryout players:
WR DeAnthony Arnett, Michigan State: A one-time highly-touted recruit, Arnett caught just 12 passes in three years at MSU after starting his career at Tennessee. But a listed 40 of 4.45 is intriguing and he also shares the same agent as Seattle RB Thomas Rawls
RB David Dudeck, Boston College: Also played receiver and was a returner at BC.
SS Marwin Evans, Utah State: The 6-foot, 210-pounder started all 13 games last season at strong safety for the Aggies.
CB Darvell Harris, North Alabama: Another tall corner, standing 6-1.
PL Jaylen Hunter, Middle Tennessee: Hunter was an All-Conference USA pick playing left guard.
LB Steve Longa, Rutgers: Longa was one of 30 of 107 players who declared early for the NFL who did not get drafted. But according to NJ.com, he said he has no regrets and also said he had frequent contact with the Seahawks in the run-up to the draft and that Seattle was long his desired destination. The 6-foot, 235-pounder projects as a middle linebacker which would mean he’ll be thrown into the competition with Brock Coyle to back up Bobby Wagner.
S Tanner McEvoy, Wisconsin: McEvoy also played receiver and quarterback at Wisconsin and at 6-5, 231 pounds has good size for a safety. Pro Football Focus considered him one of the top 50 players who went undrafted, writing: “At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, McEvoy looked like a former quarterback playing safety and that’s exactly what he was, but the results were better than expected as his +15.3 overall grade ranked 10th in the class.”
OL Lene Maiava, Arizona: A starter at right tackle last year for Arizona, Maiava was another known to have made a pre-draft visit to the VMAC. NFL.com wrote that he may be a better fit at guard in the NFL.
LB David Perkins, Illinois State: Perkins looks like a LEO/SLB type at 6-3, 240 pounds. He began his career at Ohio State before deciding to transfer for what he said were playing time reasons.
LB/DE Pete Robertson, Texas Tech: The 6-3, 239-pounder projects as an edge rusher candidate after making 12 sacks last season.
