Seahawks Knew 'Pretty Early' Jake Bobo Would Make Roster
When it comes to feel-good stories about the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, it is hard to go past undrafted rookie Jake Bobo's meteoric rise from no-name to a fan favorite.
After impressing in OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and then blossoming in preseason games, Bobo made all the right impressions on his teammates and coaching staff, so much so that Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll knew Bobo would survive the roster cut rather early in camp.
“It was pretty early,' Carroll said. "He showed stuff soon after arriving that he could make some plays. We were just wondering, and we were having fun with it. Chad Morton kept saying “More Bobo” and having fun with that and he just continued to make stuff happen every day. We’re thrilled with how he’s brought his football to us. He’s a unique player, he’s got a real knack, and has very natural hand-eye coordination and feel and body-control really stands out.”
Making the 53-man roster is hard for veterans, let alone an undrafted rookie, but Bobo continued to stack good days while making every opportunity count on the practice field.
© Steven Bisig, USA TODAY
With the Seahawks having ample receiver talent in D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njiba, Geno Smith already has some serious firepower.
But now they add in Bobo, who has shown the ability to make big plays on a consistent basis in games. For Smith, he was excited when he learned that Bobo made the 53-man roster.
“I was so excited for Jake,” Smith said. “Thinking about back in OTAs and minicamp when he was making all those plays, and everyone was like okay, what is he going to do when we put the pads on? Everything we’ve seen from Bobo is what he is. He’s been making plays, he gets separation, gets open, catches the ball, and he’s been a great player for us."
It's been a steady climb for the former UCLA product, but now that he is here, the hard work is just beginning. Making the roster is a great achievement, but Bobo now wants to stake his claim when it "really matters" against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.
Many are bullish on what the Seahawks can produce this season, and some even have Carroll's team usurping the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.
Seattle has the weapons to cause any team trouble this season, and Bobo might just be the ace in Shane Waldron's deck as the Seahawks look to build on last year's accomplishments.
