He's a smart player, which makes him so good. Once he was able to get it down, he's been a huge addition to our team. – Robert Turbin, on Will Tukuafu
East High's Will Tukuafu is staying with the Seattle Seahawks.
The team announced Wednesday it has re-signed the 6-foot-2, 280-pound unrestricted free agent who joined the Seahawks in late October. He was brought on by Seattle to help replace starting fullback Derrick Coleman after Coleman was lost for the year with a broken foot.
Tukuafu, who's played both fullback and defensive line in the NFL, was the lead blocker for Seattle's Marshawn Lynch the second half of last season. He quickly acclimated himself to the Seahawks' run-heavy offensive attack, which includes former Utah State running back Robert Turbin, and helped Seattle finish the season with a franchise-record 2,762 rushing yards.
"You have to acclimate fast," Tukuafu said of joining a team midseason, days before the Seahawks played New England in Super Bowl XLIX. "But these guys have been awesome, helping me get used to everything and making that transition smooth."
Though Seattle lost 28-24 to New England in Super Bowl XLIX, Tukuafu played 19 snaps against the Patriots, including two on defense and five on special teams, in his second Super Bowl appearance.
"I can't put into words how awesome he's been," Turbin said of Tukuafu before the Super Bowl. "He struggled a little bit at first just because it's a new offense and there's some things he had to learn. But he's a smart player, which makes him so good. Once he was able to get it down, he's been a huge addition to our team."
Prior to joining Seattle, Tukuafu spent four seasons with San Francisco. During his time with the 49ers, he played in Super Bowl Bowl XLVII, which San Francisco lost 34-31 to Baltimore.
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