The Seahawks used their third pick of the fifth round on Rice tight end Luke Willson, an intriguing prospect from an athletic standpoint, but a player who didn’t do a ton in terms of pass catching as a senior.
In part because of injuries, and in part because Rice also had second-round pick Vance McDonald at tight end, Willson caught only nine passes as a senior. In the two years before, however, the Ontario, Canada native had 62 passes for 738 yards.
And what makes Willson interesting to Seattle despite limited production is the fact that, at 6-foot-5, 252 pounds, he ran a 4.57 40-yard dash.
Willson also played baseball for Canada at the under-18 level, and last year spent time in spring working out with the Toronto Blue Jays. Willson also grew up playing hockey.
“His size his speed, and just his athletic background,” area scout Ed Dodds said when asked what they like about Willson. “… He’s huge, and he ran that fast. He’s going to be a guy who can give us a down-field threat from the tight end position.”
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