x
Breaking News
More () »

New Seahawks WR already has connection with Russell Wilson

New Seattle wide receiver Gary Jennings already has a connection with the quarterback he's about to start catching passes from.
Credit: AP
West Virginia's Gary Jennings (12) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — New Seattle wide receiver Gary Jennings already has a connection with the quarterback he's about to start catching passes from.

He was once coached on a YMCA youth basketball team by Russell Wilson back in Richmond, Virginia.

"I don't know if it was that competitive. We couldn't even press, I don't think," Jennings said. "It was cool because he was a star player at the school, and he had a chance to be able to coach."

Jennings was the first of Seattle's picks on the final day of the NFL draft on Saturday. He was selected No. 120 overall in the fourth round, the first of three fourth-round selections by the Seahawks. Seattle also selected Wake Forest guard Phil Haynes and Oregon cornerback Ugo Amadi.

Seattle added Washington linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven early in the fifth round, the Pac-12 defensive player of the year last season, and finished the last of its 10 picks by selecting Miami running back Travis Homer and Florida State defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas.

But it was Jennings and his connection with Wilson which grabbed the attention. Jennings attended The Collegiate School in Richmond through eighth grade, the same school as Wilson and his sister, Anna. It was Anna's team that Jennings played on and was coached by the Seahawks' QB and his father.

Jennings guessed he was in fourth grade, perhaps a little younger, when he was coached by Wilson. And he remembered Wilson, who was in high school, already being a star quarterback.

"Growing up in that school, I used to see him play quarterback. He was an amazing quarterback back in the day, too," Jennings said. "I saw him run back and forth across the field and someone was always wide open. They won state basically every year he was there."

Wilson tweeted later Saturday about being reunited with Jennings, who may end up being a potential slot receiver target for the QB.

Seattle clearly has concerns about whether Doug Baldwin will be able to play again after a myriad of injuries and offseason surgeries that has brought retirement into the picture. While Baldwin has been highly successful on the outside, he was most effective working out of the slot.

That's where Jennings could fit at least initially. Jennings played nearly 81 percent of his snaps last season at West Virginia in the slot, where he finished with 54 receptions and 13 touchdowns.

"It was a feeling like no other. For it to be Seattle as well, it's a perfect fit for me. For the system and what they do as an offense," Jennings said.

All of Seattle's picks on the final day seemed to fit a need. Haynes is a mauling guard who primarily is a run blocker and fits the mold of what Seattle has at the position with D.J. Fluker, Mike Iupati and last year with J.R. Sweezy. Amadi could project as Seattle's next nickel cornerback after splitting time between cornerback and safety at Oregon. Finding another option as a third cornerback was a priority after losing Justin Coleman in free agency.

"You have to be able to play with leverage, at nickel. Because the receiver has the two-way going in the middle of the field most of the time, so you have to learn how to use your help," Amadi said. "That's probably what helped my game to another level, because I understand leverage, I understood what the offense wants to do."

Burr-Kirven expects to contribute immediately on special teams after making the short drive across Lake Washington. Burr-Kirven led the nation in tackles as a senior with 176.

Homer is a developmental running back who adds depth for an offense that has made no secret in wanting to run the ball. And selecting Christmas addressed the one lingering vacancy in Seattle's draft of needing additional options on the interior defensive line.

Before You Leave, Check This Out