Despite falling to the Green Bay Packers in Saturday's preseason finale, Seattle's front office got a closer look at potential puzzle pieces fighting for a roster spot. Undrafted wideout Jake Bobo caught his second touchdown of the preseason, concluding an August to remember, and one he hopes will secure his place on the team.
After falling behind 9-0 early in the first half, quarterback Drew Lock found Bobo in the back of the end zone to bring the Seahawks within two points. The only receiving score of the day for Seattle was Bobo's second in three preseason games, further elevating the hype around the roster hopeful. In three contests, Bobo caught seven passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
"I just make plays," said Bobo. "Obviously, all of us undrafted guys have a chip on our shoulder for sure. Just coming in here and proving myself was kind of my mentality. Once you get into the thick of it, it's just day-by-day. Just to be better than yesterday, and just keep stacking days."
Bobo's humility remains despite his growing summer celebrity - remembering the journey of the last year to get to this point.
In four seasons at Duke University, Bobo caught 126 passes for 1,441 yards and 3 touchdowns. After being a consistent weapon for the Blue Devils as an undergraduate, Bobo transferred west to become a UCLA Bruin. In 13 games, Bobo caught 57 passes for 817 yards (14.3 YPC) and a career-high seven touchdowns. After receiving an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas, Bobo was trending upward heading into draft night, but a 4.99 second 40-yard-dash at UCLA's pro day hurt his draft prospects.
On draft night, Bobo failed to hear his name called through three days of anticipation. But after signing with Seattle as an undrafted free agent, the 6-foot-4 playmaker began to put the team (and fanbase) on notice. Word quickly spread from the Virginia Mason Athletic Center to social media, sparking the nationally-trending #MoreBobo hashtag on Twitter. With fans, local and national media participating in the trending topic, the New England native addressed how it makes him feel with his future currently at-stake.
"Really cool," said Bobo. "Really cool for me, really cool for my family and friends to see some of that. I'm very grateful and honored to have some of the 12s jump on the Bobo Bandwagon a little bit. So that's been really cool to see. I'm honored that folks think I'm worthy of their praise. Just got to keep making plays."
In addition to all the recognition he's received from the fans and media, he's gotten praise from the front office as well. Coach Pete Carroll discussed Bobo’s play through the summer earlier this week.
"Jake's flying pretty high right now," said Carroll. "He's done great. He hasn't just done well on a few plays in the games, he's done well in practice throughout. So he's been really steady. It's not a surprise to see him play like that in games. We're thrilled to see what would happen because he's been making plays out here."
But with the conclusion of the preseason, Seattle's imminent roster cuts have remained on Bobo's mind, making him nervous.
"Absolutely," said Bobo. "I've had that day circled on the calendar for a while."
Even with several games remaining throughout the league this weekend, Bobo will finish the preseason ranked high in all statistical categories for receivers. Following the loss, Carroll continued his praise of the rookie wideout.
"He has done everything he has had a chance to do," said Carroll. "He has blocked well. He has played with terrific effort. He is a smart kid. He has made big plays. He has made routine plays. He just comes through with whatever we ask him to do. I am thrilled for him that he had another chance in this game. Drew (Lock) gives him a great pass and a great call. The whole thing was just a gorgeous football play and he figured out how to finish it just right. He has been terrific."
Time will ultimately tell how Bobo's roster fate will play out - but there couldn't be a better endorsement in the building to ease the nerves.
Check out some of the best action shots from Preseason Week 3 vs. the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2023. Game action photos are presented by Washington's Lottery.