Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Joey Galloway (drafted 1995)
Ohio State
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was drafted to the Seahawks during the first round of the 2023 draft. In his rookie year, Smith-Njigba helped the Seahawks seal two wins with a game-winning touchdown in Week 8 against the Browns and in Week 13 against the Eagles. Smith-Njigba's name was also put in the record books, behind another Seahawks receiving great, Joey Galloway, for most receptions by a rookie in a single season. He finished last season with 63. And the record is 67, held by Galloway.
It's no coincidence that both Smith-Njigba and Galloway hold No. 1 and 2 on that list. In Galloway's five seasons with the Seahawks, he posted three seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
And although Galloway was drafted to the Seahawks before Smith-Njigba was even born, Smith-Njigba says the two share a mentor-mentee relationship, first because of their Buckeye connection and now because of their Seahawk connection.
Charles Cross and K.J. Wright (drafted 2011)
Mississippi St.
Charles Cross was a first-round pick, No. 9 overall by the Seahawks in 2022. And in his rookie year, Cross lived up to the first-round standards, starting in all 17 games that season. Cross and Abe Lucas went on to play together and made history as just the third pair of rookie tackles to open and start the NFL season at tackle for the same team.
And, K.J. Wright, Super Bowl Champion and Pro Bowler was drafted to the Seahawks from Mississippi St. Wright helped the team to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances and spent 10 of his 11 seasons in Seattle. Wright had five seasons in Seattle where he surpassed 100 tackles.
Zach Charbonnet and Kenny Easley (drafted 1981)
UCLA
Zach Charbonnet was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft and scored his first touchdown of his NFL career during Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys this past season. And another big moment from his rookie year that won't show up on the stat sheet is a run against the Panthers in Week 3 where Charbonnet runs straight through a defender.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Hall of Famer, and a 1984 AP Defensive Player of the Year Kenny Easley spent his career with the Seahawks and was considered one of the best at his position during his time. He was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft in 1981 No. 4 overall.
Mike Morris, Olu Oluwatimi and Steve Hutchsinson (drafted 2001)
Michigan
Olu Oluwatimi and Mike Morris were both drafted in 2023 and while Morris was out with an injury this past season, Oluwatimi played in 16 games. In college, Morris was 2022 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and played in 27 games and had 40 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 1 interception.
Steve Hutchinson, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, spent his first five years in Seattle and was selected to the Pro Bowl three of those five years. Hutchinson now works as a football consultant for the Seahawks.
Anthony Bradford and Kevin Mawae (drafted 1994)
LSU
Anthony Bradford was drafted No. 108 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft and in Year 1 Bradford played in 14 games, starting 10 of them. At LSU, He was a member of the 2019 National Championship team.
Hall of Famer and eight-time Pro Bowler, Kevin Mawae also spent his college days at LSU and was drafted by the Seahawks in 1984 in the second round. Mawae spent time with the Jets and the Titans.
Kenneth Walker III and Daryl Turner (drafted 1984)
Michigan St.
After being drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft Kenneth Walker III, notched nine touchdowns, and eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie. This past season, Walker III was just as efficient with eight touchdowns and more than 900 rushing yards.
Also on the offensive side of the ball, Daryl Turner was drafted in the second round of the 1984 draft and played four seasons with the Seahawks. Turner had 36 touchdowns over the course of his Seahawks career and was an NFL AP Offensive Rookie of the Year nominee.
NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang ranked his top edge rushers and defensive linemen for the 2024 NFL Draft.
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) watches the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. UCLA won 50-36. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
FILE - UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, left, pressures Arizona State quarterback Trenton Bourguet during the second half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 11, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. For the final time in its current arrangement, the Morris Trophy winners were honored Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 — the end to another small chapter of the Pac-12 legacy that crumbled under the weight of conference realignment. The honorees were Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and UCLA's Latu.(AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, right, shakes a tackle by UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu, left, sacks Colorado quarterback Owen McCown in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) sacks Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee (18), causing a fumble that was recovered by Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
FILE - Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) rushes the passer against Syracuse during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Syracuse, N.Y. Jared Verse was named to The Associated Press preseason All-America team, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex, File)
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) follows a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) follows Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Duke quarterback Riley Leonard (13) is tackled by Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) after scrambling for yardage during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Wake Forest quarterback Mitch Griffis, right, is sacked by Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) sacks Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) and forces a fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) pursues Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after stopping Georgia's offense during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) forces a fumble by Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) pressures Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov.11, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) pass rushes against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov.18, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) causes a fumble by Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter (11) celebrates his interception with Chop Robinson during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) celebrates with defensive lineman Austin Booker (9) after intercepting a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NCAA football game against BYU on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton rushes the quarterback during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) and linebacker Seth Coleman (49) celebrate after Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne was sacked during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Illinois linebacker Ezekiel Holmes (33) and defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) tackle Wyoming running back Titus Swen during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Northwestern quarterback Ben Bryant (2) is sacked by Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton, center left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) during an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II reacts after collecting a sack against TCU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Washington during the first half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) closes in for a sack against Oklahoma quarterback Davis Beville (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Dallas. Texas won 49-0. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy, II sacks Rice quarterback JT Daniels during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King (10) dives in for a touchdown while defended by Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) sacks Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Clemson's Ruke Orhorhoro (33) is blocked by Georgia Tech's Weston Franklin (72) during the second half of an NCAA football game on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) sacks South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) for a safety in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) plays against Florida State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) applies pressure against East Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
UNLV quarterback Doug Brumfield (2) is sacked by Michigan defensive linemen Kris Jenkins (94) and Kenneth Grant (78) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins plays against UNLV in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) reacts to a tackle against Michigan State in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons looks to block Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) sacks Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) reacts after a tackle against Ohio State during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) pursues Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (12) at the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
South Carolina offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn, right, has his helmet knocked off by Missouri's Darius Robinson, center, as quarterback Jason Brown, left, passes during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 31-28. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
