The Seattle Seahawks are expected to waive undrafted free agent running back Anthony Hankerson, but here’s the absolute kicker: the dude wants to ditch the NFL, clear waivers, and then hit the college transfer portal! Seriously, he’s planning to bounce back to school. You literally cannot make this stuff up!
The Roster Razor’s Edge Is HERE
This isn’t just some casual roster move; it’s happening right as the NFL’s ultimate roster crunch kicks into overdrive. We’re talking barely a week left before every team has to chop its massive 90-man offseason squad down to the lean, mean, 53-man regular season roster. Every single snap, every run, every block in these final preseason games this weekend is absolutely make-or-break for guys desperately trying to cling to their pro football dreams. And let’s not forget, we just watched our Hawks battle it out in a tough 16-19 loss to the Tennessee Titans, a game where every single player’s performance, especially those on the bubble, was under a microscope. Coach Macdonald and OC Brian Fleury are facing brutal decisions right now, decisions that will impact the entire identity of our team as we get ready for the grind of the regular season. This is where seasons are quietly made, folks.
From Emerald City Dreams to Portal Plans
Hankerson’s journey to the Emerald City was brief, like, blink-and-you-miss-it short. He only signed with us a week ago after first signing as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins, who then waived him in early August. Before his incredibly brief NFL stints, this dude was absolutely tearing it up at Oregon State, racking up an insane 2,168 rushing yards over his last two seasons. That’s not just good, that’s “this guy can flat-out play” good! But now, his agents, @david_benzaken and @IanGrutman, dropped the bombshell to Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer: Hankerson is dead set on going back to the NCAA. And honestly? In this wild, wild era where college football is basically a fully professional league attached to a university, complete with its own massive NIL deals and big money, you can absolutely see his point. It’s a totally different game now, offering a unique path that sometimes even rivals what the NFL can offer some undrafted guys. It’s a sign of the times, for sure.
What’s Next for the Backfield and Beyond?
So, while it’s certainly a surprising turn to see a player choose the portal over sticking it out in the pros, Hankerson’s departure absolutely cranks up the heat on the rest of the Seahawks’ running back room. Every single back fighting for a spot just saw a competitor exit the stage, and you know the intensity just went up another notch. With the final preseason matchups on deck this weekend and that terrifying 53-man roster deadline staring us down, the stakes couldn’t be higher for those remaining. Get ready, 12s, because the regular season is just around the corner, and these final roster decisions are going to define our early season push and set the tone for the entire year. We need to be LOCKED IN!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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