The Seahawks continued to add safety depth with their first of two sixth-round picks, selecting University of Cincinnati safety Mike Tyson. Or, perhaps they added depth elsewhere in the secondary. While safety was Tyson's college position, he noted that the Seahawks already have talked to him about coming in ready to compete at cornerback.
Tyson described himself as a "very physical, competitive player, versatile. I just want to get the job done and do anything to help the team. Wherever they need me to do to help the team, I'll do it… They told me to be open to all (positions), but be ready to compete at press corner. They told me to stay open to all defensive back positions."
Tyson, who is 6-foot-1, 207 pounds, is from Norfolk, Virginia, which is also the hometown of Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor.
"He's a legend down here in Norfolk," Tyson said. "I followed him throughout Virginia Tech and the NFL… I used to be a real big Virginia Tech fan back in the day. "
Last season, Tyson recorded 46 tackles, five interceptions and 4.5 tackles for loss in 10 games for the Bearcats. Already in this draft the Seahawks have added Michigan safety Delano Hill in the third round and Colorado safety Tedric Thompson in the fourth round, as well as Central Florida cornerback Shaquill Griffin in the third round.
As for that famous name, Tyson said he is asked on nearly a daily basis if he is named after the boxer, or if he too can box. In fact, Mike Tyson is a family name—he's a third-generation Mike Tyson, and he has a 3-year-old son with the same name.
"I get that question at least once a day," he said. "If I meet anybody new, that's probably one of the first things they ask me. Am I related to Mike Tyson? Can I fight like Mike Tyson? Who's the real Mike Tyson? When they ask me who's the reason Mike Tyson, I tell them, 'Both of us are real, he boxed, and I play football.'"
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Photos of new Seahawks safety Mike Tyson from Cincinnati.
Football fell to Memphis 34-7 on Senior Night.
South Florida wide receiver Jordan Reed (82) dives over the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown reception in front of Cincinnati safety Mike Tyson during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
University of Cincinnati Bearcats lost 40 to 16 against the University of Houston Cougars in a football game at Nippert Stadium. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II
Ohio State running back Rod Smith (7) crosses the line of scrimmage as Cincinnati safety Mike Tyson tries to tackle him during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
University of Cincinnati Bearcats lost 40 to 16 against the University of Houston Cougars in a football game at Nippert Stadium. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II
Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith, front, carries Cincinnati safety Mike Tyson into the endzone for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Cincinnati defensive back Mike Tyson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati defensive back Mike Tyson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati defensive back Mike Tyson runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers and Cincinnati defensive back Mike Tyson perform a flip during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Cincinnati defensive back Mike Tyson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
