April 11, 2026, 1:01 p.m. PT
The reigning Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks have some holes to fill. Like all Super Bowl winners, Seattle had the rest of the league attempt to plunder their roster. While the Seahawks managed to keep plenty of foundational pieces in place, they did lose a few big names as expected. One such player was cornerback Riq Woolen, who left the Emerald City for the City of Brotherly Love. As a result, Seattle has a pressing need at the position to replace Woolen.
A replacement piece could come from an unlikely source. The Seahawks recently met with cornerback Jarod Washington of South Carolina State – a school from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference of the FCS. Washington’s strong play helped guide the Bulldogs to an HBCU National Championship, going 10-3 in 2025. Seattle took the time to meet with Washington during his Pro Day, which he revealed in an interview with Seahawks Wire contributor Justin Melo. Washington’s full comments on teams he met with can be read below, or in the full interview here.
“I met with the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Commanders at Pro Day. Some of those teams have been in constant contact with me. I also met with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans on Zoom.”
Washington only played in five games last year for South Carolina State, but he made the most of his opportunities. He recorded 36 total tackles, defended 13 passes and snagged two interceptions. His lengthy frame (6-2, 190 pounds) and speed (ran a 4.42 at his Pro Day) seem to suggest he is the ideal type of corner the Seahawks historically value. Seattle also has a history of finding diamonds in the rough, with notable examples being Richard Sherman and the aforementioned Riq Woolen. Perhaps Washington can be another late-round steal for John Schneider to discover.
The 2026 NFL draft begins on Thursday, April 23rd and will continue through Saturday April 25th.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.