The Seahawks just held tryouts for four players at Lumen Field, and while three of them were veteran tight ends who’ve been bouncing around the league, the fourth guy is a whole different beast. We’re talking about Ben Te Kura, an Australian rugby player who stands a staggering 6’9″ tall, used to rumble on the rugby pitch, and get this: he’s never played a single down of organized football in his life. Seriously, you read that right. This is as “outside the box” as it gets!
From Down Under to the Emerald City’s Doorstep
Te Kura has been a legitimate force in Australia’s National Rugby League since the 2024 season. He’s literally the tallest player in NRL history, towering over opponents at 6’9″. He played as a “prop” forward for the Brisbane Broncos, suiting up for five games, but his ambition recently shifted big time towards the NFL. Brisbane initially granted him a leave of absence to chase this wild dream, and just three weeks ago, they officially released him from his contract “effective immediately.” Why? To allow him to fully commit to an NFL opportunity in the United States for 2027. He’d already taken an initial six-week NFL training camp back in April and is now making the move to Arizona to keep grinding towards a professional football career. When you see highlights of him with the Souths Logan Magpies, you’ll witness pure, raw athleticism; the big man absolutely *rumbles*. He played at 268 pounds in rugby, but the plan is clearly for him to bulk up a bit more as he transitions to being listed as an offensive tackle on the transaction wire. Imagine that kind of size coming off the line for the Hawks!
The “Outside the Box” Play That Could Pay Off
So why is this intriguing for us 12s? The Seahawks are clearly looking way outside the box here, and honestly, that’s what makes this kind of move so exciting. We’ve seen this exact kind of transition work wonders before in the league. Just look at Jordan Mailata, the Eagles star who made the jump from a rugby prop to becoming one of the premier offensive tackles in the NFL. That’s the blueprint Te Kura is hoping to follow, and with his sheer size and power, it’s easy to see why. This is the kind of high-upside gamble a team takes when they spot undeniable physical tools and raw athletic potential. Sure, it was “just a tryout” for Te Kura, but the thought of Head Coach Mike Macdonald and Offensive Coordinator Brian Fleury getting their hands on this kind of raw, towering talent and molding him into a force for our offensive line is legitimately exciting. Imagine that power coming off the line, protecting Sam Darnold and opening lanes for our guys!
What’s next for this Australian giant? We wait to see if the Seahawks decide to take this gamble and bring Te Kura on board. It would be a fascinating project, a true testament to finding talent in unexpected places. Keep your eyes peeled, Seattle, because a 6’9″ rugby giant with zero football experience could be the newest face in green and blue.
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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