The Seattle Seahawks added another quarterback to the team before the 2024 NFL draft. Kory Curtis, a former Ohio State quarterback, announced on X, previously known as Twitter, that he’s going to Seattle.
“I'm really thankful for the chance to join the @Seahawks. This is the first step in my journey… Rookie minicamp! #AGTG,” Curtis wrote.
Curtis got a scholarship for Ohio State but left after Justin Fields became the starter, The Gannon Knight reported. After spending two years at Bryant University, the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder moved to Gannon in 2021. During the 2022 season, he recorded 2,879 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, as well as 4 rushing scores.
Although Curtis hoped to be picked in the 2023 NFL draft, he wasn't. “To be honest, it's been a bit frustrating,” he told the outlet. “I was projected to be drafted in the 6th or 7th round, but I wasn't picked in either round. Since then, it's been a struggle.” He ended up signing to play with The Quad City Steamrollers of the Indoor Football League.
“I chose to sign with them because they were willing to give me an opportunity,” Curtis explained. “Their head coach has connections with many NFL guys and the IFL has a direct link to the XFL, so there's a draft for the IFL players.” More recently, he signed to play with the West Texas Desert Hawks.
Before joining the Seahawks, the Pittsburgh Steelers invited Curtis for a private workout. SI’s Noah Strackbein wrote about the visit, “Teams have been intrigued by his strong arm and D1.”
QB Cory Kurtis’ Completion Percentage Made a Huge Jump Between 2021 and 2022
Before the 2023 NFL draft, Gannon head coach Erik Raeburn talked about how much Curtis improved after transferring to Gannon. “Kory has really improved his accuracy over the past two seasons,” Raeburn told The Fort Myers News-Press.
“In 2021, his completion percentage was about 51% and in 2022, it increased to 65%. It was a result of his work on his basics and his film study to have better control of our system.”
The Cape Coral native had individual workouts with the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Steelers. “One of the things they liked the most is that I'm a cerebral player,” Curtis told the outlet. “I called most plays at the line of scrimmage. I can call an offense at the line. They liked that and they like that I can extend the pocket.”
After a long journey, Curtis finally gets his chance in the NFL in Seattle. Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker Jr. shared again the news on X and wrote, “See you brother. 🤞🏾.”
Seahawks News: Rumors Circulate Seattle Might Draft Another QB in the 2024 NFL Draft
Even though Pete Carroll went with only two quarterbacks on the roster, it's uncertain how many new head coach Mike Macdonald prefers. Going into the 2024 NFL season, quarterback Geno Smith is the starter. Seattle also traded for quarterback Sam Howell with the Washington Commanders.
“We have a lot of confidence in Geno,” Macdonald said, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “Geno is going to be our starter. Sam knows he's going to be our backup, but Sam is a great young player, and he has a really promising future that we believe in.”
Despite the promise to Smith, who will be 34 in October, analysts around the league expect Seattle to choose a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft. Most speculations focus on former University of Washington standout Michael Penix Jr.
“If Michael Penix doesn't get selected on the first day, you will hear me on the show Friday morning saying, ‘Go get Michael Penix,’” former quarterback turned analyst Brock Huard expressed on Seattle Sports. The Seahawks hold the No. 16 overall pick in the draft, however, they do not have a second-round pick.
“If Penix is available in the second round and the Seahawks have a chance, trade next year’s second- or third-round pick,” Huard suggested. “Move up, be aggressive and acquire a player who could step into this system from Day 1 and be ahead of the curve.”
