After two weeks of training camp, the Seattle Seahawks are set to kick off their preseason campaign this Saturday in Southern California against the Los Angeles Chargers. As the anticipation builds, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the team, now under the guidance of first-time head coach Mike Macdonald, will perform in their first game.
This matchup provides the first real opportunity to evaluate a number of rookies and new acquisitions in a competitive setting, moving beyond the controlled environment of practice. Among the key battles to watch is the competition for final roster spots in the Seahawks’ deep wide receiver group.
On Friday’s episode of Blue 88 on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, former Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard spotlighted rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight as a player to watch closely. Knight, who was selected in the fourth round of the draft out of UTEP, made waves last season by leading the FBS with 84 solo tackles.
“There’s something intriguing about how this new coaching staff viewed him,” Huard remarked. “They took him in the fourth round, even though many projections had him going later. But they saw a specific trait in him—his ability to run and hit. I’m really curious to see how that translates on the field.”
Knight, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 233 pounds, was a standout at UTEP, amassing 391 tackles during his four-year career. In his final season, he recorded 4.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Knight is part of an inside linebacking corps that includes presumed starters Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson, both of whom joined the Seahawks on one-year deals in free agency. However, with Baker sidelined this past week due to a hamstring injury, Knight is expected to see increased playing time in Saturday’s game.
“This will be Tyrice Knight’s first chance to really hit someone and bring them down in an NFL game,” Huard said. “I’m excited to see if he plays fast and with confidence. Even if he’s not in the perfect spot, I want to see him going full speed. And when he makes contact, I want to see if he brings the same destructive force he did in college. I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
As the Seahawks take the field, all eyes will be on these key players, particularly Knight, as they make their preseason debut and look to make a lasting impression.
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