RENTON — Will Tukuafu is a man of few words.
However, he’s a man of many positions.
The second-year Seattle Seahawk may be listed on the roster as a fullback, but that label is glaringly deficient for a player who finds himself contributing in far more ways than the typical NFL player.
Observers may have been thrown off by the sight of No. 46 checking in to play on the defensive line during Seattle’s 20-3 victory at San Francisco last Thursday. But playing on defense is nothing new to Tukuafu, who has found himself used in all three facets of the game by the Seahawks.
If there’s a job that needs to be done, Tukuafu is willing to do it.
“I just do my job, man,” the understated Tukuafu said. “I just come out here and come to work.”
Tukuafu spent last Thursday’s game shuttling in and out of the lineup, regardless of which team had the ball. He not only appeared in 26 snaps on offense (36 percent of Seattle’s offensive plays), he also was in on six special teams play (24 percent) in the return game, and he even checked in for four plays on defense (nine percent). It was the third game this season Tukuafu appeared on offense, defense and special teams.
“I remember in the San Francisco game I think there was a time where he was on offense, defense and then right on to special teams or something like that,” Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson marveled. “It’s just crazy watching him participate in all three phases of the game at such a high level.”
Just how rare is what Tukuafu’s doing? According to numbers compiled by FootballOutsiders.com, of the roughly 1,700 players who have appeared in the NFL this season, just 13 have appeared on offense, defense and special teams. That makes Tukuafu a part of the NFL’s one-percenters.
Even on offense alone Tukuafu has shown his versatility, as he’s lined up as both a fullback and a tight end.
Count Seahawks coach Pete Carroll among Tukuafu’s admirers, as he’s taken every opportunity this season to praise Tukuafu’s ability to play on all sides of the ball.
“He’s been great,” Carroll said. “I’m so excited about Will. I just think it’s the coolest story that he’s playing both ways and he can do that when he does. But he’s playing fullback, and he’s playing tight end, and we’re moving him around, and he’s in special teams. And he’ll play defensive tackle in a heartbeat when we need him. And he never bats an eye, he just keeps doing it. He’s got a great attitude about it. He loves it, the more the better for him, and he’s a fantastic competitor. So I love the story. I just wish more people realized how unique he is in being able to do all that.”
Tukuafu is unique even for a fullback. At 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, he dwarfs most of those who line up in the backfield.
Indeed, Tukuafu played exclusively on the defensive side of the ball in college. He spent three seasons at the University of Oregon and was a standout defensive end, registering 32.5 tackles for loss in 39 games. He earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors in 2007 and 2008 as a sophomore and junior, then garnered second-team All-Pac-10 honors as a senior in 2009.
Tukuafu’s play with the Ducks caught the attention of the Seahawks, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2010. However, Seattle cut Tukuafu before the season began and he was subsequently signed by San Francisco. It was with the 49ers when his conversion to fullback occurred, though he continued to see the occasional snap on defense and special teams.
Tukuafu spent four seasons as a bit player in San Francisco before being waived with an injury settlement prior to last season. He remained unsigned for two months until Seattle came calling again. Fullback Derrick Coleman’s season-ending broken foot left the Seahawks short, and Tukuafu was brought in to fill the vacancy.
But again Tukuafu wasn’t limited to the offensive side of the ball. When the Seahawks suffered injuries on the defensive line early this season — defensive tackles Brandon Mebane and Jordan Hill and defensive ends Demarcus Dobbs and Frank Clark have all missed games — Tukuafu was once again called upon to show his versatility.
Which is just fine by him.
“It doesn’t matter where you line up, when you’re in the game you have to play,” Tukuafu said.
Carroll said he’s never coached a player as versatile as Tukuafu.
“You know, I haven’t had anybody that has been so readily able to move back and forth,” Carroll said. “I’ve had some guys that have flipped one year to the next and all that. But he can go from series to series and play offense and defense and it doesn’t even affect him. I don’t think I’ve had anybody that’s that unique.”
Tukuafu’s presence on defense may not be needed much longer. Mebane and Clark already returned from their injuries, while Hill and Dobbs returned to practice this week and have a good chance of returning for Sunday’s game at Dallas. Their returns would solve Seattle’s depth issues on the defensive line.
But the Seahawks know that if needed, Tukuafu is there to fill the void.
Daniels signed to practice squad
Receiver B.J. Daniels is once again back with the Seahawks, being signed to Seattle’s practice squad Thursday. Daniels was waived Tuesday as the Seahawks freed up a spot on their 53-man roster to sign running back Bryce Brown. Daniels cleared waivers and Seattle brought him back to the fold on the practice squad, with linebacker Tyrell Adams being waived to make room. It was the second time this season Daniels was waived by Seattle, only to be brought back days later.
Check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/seattlesidelines, and follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
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