Every year, fans are enthralled by the tales of the underdogs, players who beat the odds to make an impact and create a heartwarming story. Unfortunately, not all those stories have a happy ending.
The Seattle Seahawks are releasing rookie linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala, per Aaron Wilson. The former Washington Husky went undrafted in 2025, signing with the Seahawks after the draft. While he was not commonly viewed as a quality draft prospect, he’d put together a strong camp with the Seahawks, and he had an outside shot of making the roster. That won’t be happening, at least not at the moment, but perhaps he’ll be claimed by another team, or will sign to the practice squad.
Alphonzo Tuputala’s Washington Ties Run Deep
Logan Riely/GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 08: Alphonzo Tuputala #11 of the Washington Huskies kneels after being defeated by the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Playing for the Seahawks was the culmination of a life embedded in Washington football for Tuputala. Born and raised in the state of Washington, Tuputala grew up in Federal Way, a Seattle suburb. He attended Federal Way High School and was a consensus three-star recruit at linebacker in the class of 2018. Primarily offered by smaller west coast schools, Tuputala was also courted by Power Four schools such as TCU, Louisville, and Cal.
Tuputala chose to stay local and attend the University of Washington, located right in Seattle. He spent six years in college, taking advantage of a redshirt year and his extra season of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over his last three seasons with the Huskies, Tuputala totaled 221 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, and two passes defensed.
The Seattle Seahawks’ Linebacker Corps is Good
Seahawks legend Bobby Wagner once anchored one of the best linebacker units in the NFL. But since his departure, it’s been rough going for the Seattle defense as a whole, and the linebacker unit in particular. When new HC Mike Macdonald arrived in 2024 after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, he set about rectifying that issue.
Former Los Angeles Ram Ernest Jones IV is the leader of the bunch, wearing the green dot on game days and is the best player in the unit. Tyrice Knight starts alongside him, and together they form a strong duo. Patrick O’Connell and Drake Thomas are their primary backups.
Because Macdonald runs a 3-4 defense, there are typically only two traditional inside linebackers on the field. A 3-4 defense runs with a nose tackle, two inside defensive ends (sometimes one of these “end” positions will be played by a 3-technique defensive tackle) and two outside, pass-rushing linebackers. These “outside linebackers” are linebackers in name only, as they play along the line of scrimmage and have more in common with defensive ends than inside linebackers. There’s a push to do away with the defensive end/outside linebacker distinction and call them all edge defenders.
In Macdonald’s defense, his inside linebackers have a lot of responsibility to stay strong in their run fits and they take on a variety of coverage assignments. Perhaps Tuputala can continue to grow his game on the Seattle practice squad.
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