Lofa Tatupu made the transition from college to the NFL better than most as the second-round pick out of USC started all 16 games as a rookie for the NFC Champion Seahawks in 2005.  

“Drafting Lofa Tatupu was a huge part of why the Seahawks finally reached the Super Bowl for the first time,” Mike Sando of The Athletic said. “To me Lofa Tatupu was the No. 1 reason and acquisition in why Seattle was able to do that in that year.”

Tatupu began his NFL career with three consecutive seasons as a full-time starter, recording over 100 tackles each year and earning Pro Bowl honors in all three. In those three seasons alone, Tatupu recorded eight interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, 27 passes defensed, 6.5 sacks and came second in voting for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

He was named an AP All-Pro for the first time in his career in 2007 after registering career highs in interceptions with four and forced fumbles with three. Tatupu played all six seasons in Seattle, starting 84 games and finished his career with 552 tackles, 10 interceptions, 41 passes defensed and seven forced fumbles.