The Hawks made a move today, shaking things up a little on the defensive line, and honestly, we needed something to talk about after last night’s brutal 33-31 heartbreaker against the Commanders. The team announced on their social media accounts that they signed undrafted rookie defensive tackle Gary Smith III to the practice squad on Tuesday afternoon. It's a transaction that comes with the familiar sting of an outgoing player, but also the hope that this new face can make a difference.
Who Is Gary Smith III and Can He Help Our Trenches?
So, who's this new guy joining our squad? Gary Smith III is an undrafted rookie defensive tackle, and he's got a pretty interesting collegiate resume. He started his college career strong, spending his freshman and sophomore seasons playing for Duke. Then, Smith made the jump and transferred to UCLA, where he finished out his final three years with the Bruins. This guy played a lot of football in college, suiting up for 50 total games. That's some serious experience! Over those years, he racked up 111 total tackles, with a solid 9.5 of them going for a loss, plus he snagged 4.5 sacks. That's production, plain and simple. What's even crazier is he didn't even play in 2024 because of a preseason injury. He went undrafted this past spring, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, but didn't make their final roster cuts before the season started. Now, he's got a chance to prove himself in the Emerald City, and you gotta love a comeback story.
Saying Goodbye to a 'Hard Knocks' Favorite
But with every roster addition, there's always a tough goodbye. To make room for Smith, our beloved rookie nose tackle Uso Seumalo was released. Man, that one stings a bit for the 12s who tuned into “Hard Knocks” this summer. We all got to know that lovable, ukulele-playing big man from Hawaii, and he quickly became a fan favorite across the nation during the show. It's a harsh reminder of the business side of the NFL, especially for undrafted rookies trying to stick around. But that's the game, right? You win some, you lose some, and sometimes you just gotta shuffle the deck to find the right fit for the roster.
After that gut-punch loss to Washington, where our defense gave up 33 points, a fresh body on the defensive line isn't something to ignore. We're looking forward to seeing what Smith can bring to the practice squad and if he can work his way onto the main roster. Our Hawks need to tighten things up, and every player, even on the practice squad, brings potential. Next up, it's all about getting back on track and showing the league what Mike Macdonald's defense is really made of.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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