From 8-man football to the NFL: Seahawks UDFA Uso Seumalo's journey

Seattle Seahawks UDFA signee Uso Seumalo had a head-turning journey to the NFL that could be a movie script someday, yet fits their organization to a tee. From the same franchise that brought you cornerback Richard Sherman as a wide receiver convert, Jarran Reed as a junior college product, and most recently, Tyrone Broden switching sides of the ball , Seumalo looks like a football player on the outside as a 6’3”, 335-pound human being, but has barely spent a quarter of his life around the gridiron. .

@Seahawks sign UFA Uso Seumalo out of @KStateFB — 1st Molokai product in @NFL since Kimo von Oelhoffen. Uso didn't play football until senior year in Hoolehua (MIL 8-man). @scoringlive @JahCollias @RobDeMelloKHON @JordanHelle @mikekahale @billyhull https://t.

co/1JIN2NdLO5 — Robert Collias (@BaldHeadTruth) May 3, 2026 According to Maui reporter Robert Collias, Uso only began playing football as a senior in high school. Not only that, it was 8-man football, typically only played at smaller schools where they hardly have enough players to field an entire team. This would mean Seumalo’s first time playing organized, 11-man football came in college at Garden City CC.

After learning this, his unlikely route from the JUCO ranks starts to make a lot more sense. His Kansas State bio tells the story. He apparently played basketball and volleyball throughout high school, only convincing his parents to let him play football for his senior year.