The Seahawks finalized their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, keeping seven of their eight draft picks which included tackle Michael Jerrell, the Seahawks' final selection in the 2024 draft out of the University of Findlay. After he was drafted, Jerrell was very outspoken about how much it meant for him to have come from the University of Findlay and be drafted from a Division-II college.
"I'm just excited to be the next one and show guys that are going to small schools that you can make it from a small school," Jerrell said after the draft. "You don't have to transfer and chase NIL or chase Power 5 to make it to the NFL; you can go from wherever. I'm glad I can show the kids in the community that they can do it too, don't sell yourself short."
During training camp, players have family and friends come out to practices but one day, Jerrell invited his college head coach, Kory Allen, who made the trip from Ohio to watch Jerrell during camp.
"He said he wanted to come out to my camp, he's been with me for six years on all my preseason camps. He's my coach and he said he wanted to be here for my seventh," Jerrell said on his coach visiting practice.
In July, during camp, Allen said, "I'm proud of him. I'm excited to be out here and support him. And he's at [work] and I'm proud of him."
Allen said the pride that Jerrell has of where he went to school speaks to Jerrell's personality and mindset. "I think it's more a testament to who he is. Michael has always been true to himself and knows exactly who he is. He's comfortable in his own skin. And he couldn't be a better representative of our school.
Being drafted to the NFL was just part of the goal, and during camp, Allen was asked what his goals were for Jerrell, "My goals are whatever his are." And Jerrell's goal was very straightforward. "Make the team. That's my goal."
And a few months later, that statement came true as he made it to be a part of the initial 53-man roster.
But being a part of the NFL is just getting started for Jerrell, "It's a big step but obviously the work isn't done. I still got to keep climbing. (I) can't never get too high, never too low, I've got stay right on a steady plan and you know (there's) more work to be done."
For Jerrell going to a small school was just part of his story, it wasn't the entire story.
"I've always felt like I belong from the day I got my number called," Jerrell said on making it. Adding that he'd like to get past being underestimated. "I'd like to get past it at some point. We're all here. It doesn't matter where you went to school at or where you came from, we're all here."
And the first person Jerrell told the news to after finding out he made the roster: His coach. "If it weren't for him, I wouldn't even be in this situation now. You all are looking at a product of Kory Allen."
Check out the Seahawks initial 53-man roster heading into the 2024 season.
This is a 2024 photo of Tyrel Dodson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0)
This is a 2024 photo of Rayshawn Jenkins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2)
This is a 2023 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
This is a 2023 photo of Jason Myers of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2024 photo of Sam Howell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6)
This is a 2023 photo of Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7)
This is a 2024 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
This is a 2023 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10)
This is a 2024 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
This is a 2024 photo of DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16)
This is a 2024 photo of Jerome Baker of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker (17)
This is a 2024 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks rookie receiver Jake Bobo makes his first touchdown catch on a pass from Geno Smith in the fourth quarter.
This is a 2024 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2023 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2024 photo of Tre Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22)
This is a 2024 photo of KíVon Wallace of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks strong safety K'Von Wallace (24)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenny McIntosh of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25)
This is a 2024 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2024 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
This is a 2024 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2024 photo of Dee Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Williams (33)
This is a 2024 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2024 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2024 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2024 photo of Trevis Gipson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Trevis Gipson (50) runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
This is a 2024 photo of Olu Oluwatini of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51)
This is a 2024 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
This is a 2023 photo of Dre'Mont Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55)
This is a 2024 photo of Connor Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2024 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2024 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks offensive lineman Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2024 photo of Sataoa Laumea of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63)
This is a 2024 photo of Christian Haynes of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64)
This is a 2024 photo of Michael Jerrell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65)
This is a 2024 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2024 photo of Laken Tomlinson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70)
This is a 2024 photo of George Fant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle George Fant (74)
This is a 2024 photo of Anthony Bradford of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)
This is a 2024 photo of Stone Forsythe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe (78)
This is a 2024 photo of Laviska Shenault Jr of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81)
This is a 2024 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)
This is a 2024 photo of Pharaoh Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86)
This is a 2022 photo of Noah Fant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 6, 2022 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87)
This is a 2024 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2024 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2024 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2024 photo of Myles Adams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95)
This is a 2024 photo of Johnathan Hankins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97)
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
