Former University of Hawaii football player John Ursua is expected to finalize a three-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks today.
Ursua is projected to receive a signing bonus of about $85,000, an amount comparable to the bonuses for the past two players selected in that seventh-round spot.
The Seahawks traded a sixth-round pick in 2020 for the 236th overall pick in last weekend’s NFL Draft. The Seahawks used that pick on Ursua, who led the nation in touchdown receptions (16) as a UH junior in 2018. Ursua decided to forgo his senior season to apply for the draft.
Offensive lineman Brad Seaton, the 236th pick in 2017, received a signing bonus of $79,560 from the Tennessee Titans, according to Overthecap.com. The 236th pick last year, running back Bo Scarbrough, received a signing bonus of $85,552 from the Dallas Cowboys.
Signing bonuses are paid up front. But for salary-cap accounting, the bonuses are spread evenly over the life of the contract. In addition, this year’s rookies will receive the minimum salary of $495,000.
Ursua said a portion of his first paycheck will be used to “get something for my mom.”
Ursua is set to report to the Seahawks’ facilities today. The Seahawks sent him a pre-loaded iPad that serves as a playbook. Mini camp features practices Friday through Sunday.
Ursua said he will wear No. 15. He said he had the option of a temporary single-digit jersey, but that number could be reassigned after the preseason.
He chose No. 15 because “there’s a 5 in it,” Ursua said. “All my brothers wore 5 in high school. We made it a family number. I’ve always worn 5 from soccer to basketball to football.”