John Ursua doesn’t get the call, makes the Seahawks’ roster

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former University of Hawaii receiver John Ursua finished the preseason with four catches for 100 yards and was included in the Seattle Seahawks’ 53-man roster after Saturday’s cuts.

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No news was good news for former University of Hawaii football player John Ursua.

By not being alerted by Saturday’s 10 a.m. deadline to pare NFL rosters, Ursua made the Seattle Seahawks’ opening-day roster.

“The process is different,” Ursua told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in a telephone interview. “It’s opposite (of) the draft. You don’t want to receive a phone call. If you receive a phone call, then you’re cut. They let you know by not letting you know.”

But 30 minutes after the deadline, Ursua received congratulatory texts.

“It’s official,” Ursua said.

Ursua relinquished his senior season at UH to apply for the 2019 NFL Draft. The Seahawks traded a 2020 pick for the seventh-round spot used to select Ursua this year.

Ursua was used in the slot, where he played for the Rainbow Warriors, and wideout in the Seahawks’ preseason games. “I try not to be one-dimensional,” Ursua said. “I want to do it all.”

Ursua grew up on Hawaii island before moving to Utah before his sophomore year of high school. He attended three high schools in Utah, including two as a senior, before working for a year then going on a two-year church mission in Paris.

“I’m extremely blessed,” Ursua said of making an NFL roster. “It’s a huge accomplishment for me. I have this opportunity they’re giving me, this chance to prove myself. I was a later draft pick. You’re always on the bubble when you’re a later pick. To have this opportunity is super cool.”

Former UH linebacker Jahlani Tavai, a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions, is listed as the backup to Jarrad Davis at middle linebacker. Philadelphia offensive lineman Nate Herbig, a Saint Louis graduate, made the Eagles’ roster as a rookie free agent.

Players with local ties returning to their teams this season include Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota (Saint Louis) and linebacker Kamalei Correa (Saint Louis), Pittsburgh defensive end Tyson Alualu (Saint Louis), San Francisco defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (Punahou), Green Bay receiver Trevor Davis (Hawaii), Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (Punahou), Philadelphia linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (Kamehameha), New Orleans wide receiver Keith Kirkwood (Hawaii), Minnesota defensive tackle Hercules Mata’afa (Lahainaluna) and Indianapolis punter Rigo Sanchez (Hawaii).

Kansas City wide receiver Marcus Kemp (Hawaii) is on injured reserve and will sit out the season due to a torn ACL and MCL suffered in a preseason game.

Former UH safety Trayvon Henderson was among the players released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. Also released were Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Pasoni Tasini (Baldwin), Detroit Lions center Leo Koloamatangi (Hawaii) and Green Bay Packers guard Dejon Allen (Hawaii). Houston quarterback Jordan Ta’amu (Pearl City) and Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (Hawaii) were waived by their teams.