The dream of becoming an NFL professional is something all players have during their college football years. However, the path to debuting on the field is often not so linear. In the case of the Seattle Seahawks, the team of the head coach Mike Macdonald decided to release a rookie after only a few days.
The upcoming season looks like a tournament filled with renewed expectations for Seattle. With Sam Darnold as the star quarterback, the NFC West franchise aims to have a competitive roster in all areas of the field. In that context, demanding a high level of play is essential.
The offseason and training camps are opportunities to test players and roles for the roster heading into another intense year of competition. In Macdonald’s case, after only a few days of evaluation, the head coach decided to release a rookie.
The player released by the Seahawks
The offensive player leaving the Seahawks is none other than tight end Mitch Van Vooren, who parted ways with the Seattle franchise just nine days after being signed as an undrafted free agent following rookie minicamp.
Head coach Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
The story of Van Vooren
Van Vooren has an unusual path compared to most players aspiring to become NFL professionals. His athletic career began as a track star at Marquette, where he specialized in the 400-meter hurdles and set a school record.
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The young athlete then switched sports and started playing football at St. Norbert College (Division III). In two seasons with the Green Knights, he recorded 65 receptions, 1,045 yards, and 13 touchdowns, earning First Team All-NACC honors in 2024. Despite these numbers, his stay in Seattle was short-lived.
