Former Florida State Defensive Tackle Back With Seattle Seahawks After Previously Being Cut

The former Seminole is back with the Seahawks after being released by the franchise in May.

Training camps have begun across the NFL and players around the league are fighting for roster spots leading up to the 53-man limit cut down on August 29. Multiple former Florida State stars are battling to keep their respective professional careers afloat.

READ MORE: Florida State Continues Success On Recruiting Trail With Pledge Of Massive Offensive Lineman

On Tuesday afternoon, the Seattle Seahawks announced that the franchise was signing rookie nose tackle Robert Cooper. In a corresponding move to make room for his addition, the Seahawks released Roderick Perry II, who was just signed last week.

Cooper originally signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Seahawks after not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was released after Rookie Mini-Camp while still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery but will get another look with the team during the preseason.

The @Seahawks made two roster moves prior to today's camp practice. https://t.co/Z6wKT3siMd

— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) August 1, 2023

This is likely a sign that Cooper is back healthy after a procedure in January prevented him from participating in Florida State's Pro Day or predraft workouts with NFL teams. He did take a top-30 visit to Seattle during the draft process which likely allowed the team's medical staff to take an extensive look at his physical.

The 6-foot-2, 335-pound defensive lineman spent five years in Tallahassee where he began his career under Willie Taggart before sticking around during the transition to Mike Norvell. His most productive season statistically came as a redshirt freshman in 2019 but his leadership off the field was pivotal during his time with the Seminoles.

Cooper was a back-to-back All-ACC honorable mention to conclude his college career. He totaled 132 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and fumble recovery in 57 appearances, with 41 starts. Cooper was honored with FSU's Bobby Bowden Leadership Award following the 2022 season. He had five games of 5+ tackles during his five years at Florida State, including a career-high eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack in a victory against Syracuse in 2019.

With the addition of Cooper, Seattle has five interior defensive linemen listed on its roster. Depending on how the next few weeks progress, he might have a shot at sticking around on the practice squad or as a reserve.

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READ MORE: Five-Star CB Charles Lester III Turns Focus To Recruiting KJ Bolden After Committing To FSU

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