It took a few extra months, but Alphonzo Tuputala has gotten his NFL shot.
The former Huskies linebacker tried out with the Seattle Seahawks during rookie minicamp in May, but was not offered a contract. After a few months searching for another opportunity, Tuputala got a tryout with the Green Bay Packers on July 30, but the team signed Cincinnati linebacker Jared Bartlett instead.
On August 4, Tuputala got another tryout with the Seahawks, which bore fruit on Monday when the team announced they had signed the former Huskies star.
A Federal Way, Washington, native who spent six seasons on Montlake, Tuputala led the Huskies with 3.5 sacks last season after head coach Jedd Fisch and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick converted the linebacker to more of a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher in the 2024 version of Washington’s defense.
Over his six-year career, Tuputala racked up 234 total tackles, 8 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery while starting his final three seasons. With the Seahawks, he’ll fill in for the remainder of the preseason as they try to patch up their linebacker depth and Tuputala tries to make a strong impression.
To make room for Tuputala on the roster, the Seahawks waived former Oregon cornerback Kam Alexander.
