Seth Coleman Re-Signs With Seattle Seahawks: What Are His NFL Prospects?

After being waived by the Seahawks earlier this week, former Illini Coleman was brought back by the team

Jul 23, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini outside linebacker Seth Coleman speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Seth Coleman's period in the professional football wilderness didn't last long.

Coleman, the former Illinois outside linebacker who was waived by the NFL's Seattle Seahawks earlier this week, was re-signed by the team on Thursday ahead of its first preseason game later tonight.

We’ve signed DE Seth Coleman.

Read More » https://t.co/HksLtjPNPu pic.twitter.com/C92oxmPDgZ

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 6, 2025

After going undrafted in April, Coleman signed with Seattle in May and was immediately slotted as a defensive end in the team's 4-3 defensive scheme. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Coleman may need to bulk up over time in order to better hold up against the run at his new position in the NFL, but it's a good sign that the Seahawks – who already have one of the league's more potent pass rushes – seem to believe enough in his current pass-rushing capabilities to bring Coleman back into the fold.

Sep 16, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) cannot make a catch near the end zone against Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Seth Coleman (49) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Seth Coleman at Illinois

After appearing in only three games in 2019, Coleman was able to redshirt his first season in Champaign – and then received an extra year due to the pandemic. He then played in all eight games, starting in four, in his first "full" season in 2020 (again, cut somewhat short by COVID).

Coleman grew as a player throughout his college career in Champaign, developing from an upfield penetrator into a more dynamic and productive all-around force by the end of 2024 – his final season.

Year	Games	Solo	Assists	Total tackles	TFL-Yards	Sacks-Yards	INTs	Passes defended	Forced fumbles	Fumble recs.
2020	8	7	6	13	3.5-8	0	0	0	0	0
2021	10	13	9	22	3-14	2-12	0	2	1	1
2022	12	24	21	25	5-26	4.5-25	0	6	0	0
2023	12	37	13	50	9-53	6-43	0	4	0	0
2024	11	25	28	53	7-22	3-13	0	3	1	1

Seth Coleman in the NFL

Every undrafted free agent faces an uphill climb to build an NFL career, but Coleman has the advantage of having been developed at Illinois (a sneaky-good factory for building solid pros) and possessing the edge burst and athleticism the Seahawks covet from his position. Especially on Thursday (and in any subsequent early-preseason games), Coleman will likely be tested with reps as a situational pass rusher. If he can turn that into a longer audition and begin to prove himself in the regular season as a run stopper and in basic zone-drop coverage scenarios, Coleman will have a chance to build a lasting NFL career.

Seattle hosts Las Vegas at Lumen Field at 9 p.m. CT in both teams' 2025 NFL preseason opener. Fans can watch Raiders-Seahawks – and likely catch Coleman in action – on the NFL Network broadcast.

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