UDFA Blount one of eight former Hoos to make NFL opening-day rosters

By Scott Ratcliffe

Former Virginia standout Joey Blount made the final cut for Seattle’s 53-man squad on Tuesday, one of eight Cavalier alums who will appear on NFL opening-day rosters.

All 32 teams trimmed their rosters from 80 players down to 53 Tuesday, and Blount will officially make his NFL debut for Seattle on Monday Night Football on Sept. 12 against Denver (8:15 p.m., ABC/ESPN).

Blount (2021) signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks in the spring, and after excelling in training camp, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound safety was impressive in the preseason.

Blount, who will wear No. 35 for the Seahawks, registered six tackles (three solo) against the Cowboys on Friday. In his three preseason games, Blount tallied 14 tackles (nine solo).

Seattle coach Pete Carroll told reporters that Blount “had a great camp,” and that his play on special teams “really won him his spot.”

Third-round draft choice Jelani Woods (‘21) is one of three tight ends on Indianapolis’ initial 53-man roster. His NFL debut will come Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. against the Texans. Woods had one catch for 12 yards in the Colts’ final preseason tuneup against the Buccaneers. Another former Wahoo, veteran defensive back Rodney McLeod (‘11), is one of the Colts’ five safeties listed. It will be the 10th professional season for the former UDFA McLeod, who won a Super Bowl ring in 2018 with the Eagles.

Bryce Perkins (‘19) made one last preseason impression over the weekend, as he once again took every snap for the Rams in their finale against the Bengals on Saturday.

In the Super Bowl “rematch,” Perkins completed 14 of 19 attempts for 143 yards through the air, while scoring Los Angeles’ lone touchdown with his feet.

Down 9-0 with 11:25 remaining, Perkins took the snap and evaded a would-be tackler before heading for the pylon and reaching across for the score, his second rushing TD of the preseason.

My third consecutive week with a Bryce Perkins magical scramble tweet. He’s that dude. pic.twitter.com/oYNFWwUDWg

— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) August 28, 2022

Perkins — who continues to battle Wake Forest alum John Wolford for the Rams’ backup quarterback duties behind starter Matthew Stafford — finished the preseason completing 35 of 49 passes for 399 yards and two touchdowns (no interceptions), along with 18 carries for 73 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground. The Rams open the regular season against the Bills in LA on Thursday, Sept. 8 (8:20 p.m., NBC).

Other former Cavaliers who made the cut include:

• CB Bryce Hall (‘19) — Jets
• WR Olamide Zaccheaus (‘18) — Falcons
• S Juan Thornhill (‘18) — Chiefs
• OT Morgan Moses (‘13) — Ravens

Now, the bad news for Wahoo fans: a look at those who did not make the cut. Keep in mind that each of these former Cavaliers will still have a chance of making their respective 16-man practice squad, which will be announced Wednesday, or possibly get picked up by another team:

• Veteran S Anthony Harris (‘14) was cut by the Eagles. Harris, who played his first six seasons in Minnesota, started 14 games across his first season in Philadephia last year.
• DE Brent Urban (‘13) was waived by the Ravens, but is expected to be re-signed in anticipation of a pair of Baltimore players heading to the injured reserve list.
• Both WR/KR Joe Reed (‘19) and DL Andrew Brown (‘17) were released by the Chargers.
• OT Eric Smith (‘16) was waived by the Giants.
• OT Chris Glaser (‘21) was let go by the Jets.
• TE Tony Poljan (‘20) was released by the Ravens.
• WR Ra’Shaun Henry (‘21) was cut by Carolina.
• LB Charles Snowden (‘20) was waived by the Bears.
• S De’Vante Cross (‘21) was released by Green Bay.
• Last week, CB Tim Harris (‘18) was cut by Buffalo.