Rookie In-Season Profile: Bobby Wagner

At Utah State, he called every single defensive play.  He currently leads all NFL rookies in tackles.  Fellow Seattle Seahawk Michael Robinson call him a "baby Patrick Willis".

Rookie linebacker Bobby Wagner is one of the many young leaders in a fierce, fresh Seahawks defense that currently ranks 5th in rushing yards against and total yards against, and 3rd in points against.  Although he is a bit small for a linebacker at 6'0", Wagner's 241lb. muscular frame is built perfectly for the middle linebacker position, as he has a low center of gravity and therefore very strong balance that allows him to hit the line hard and fast.  He impressed many scouts at the NFL Rookie Combine, running a 4.46 40-yard dash and nailing a 39 1/2" vertical.  He is strong both physically and mentally, and has a rare awareness of everything that goes on all over the field.
Wagner has 62 tackles, tied with A.J. Hawk for 15th in the league and one ahead of fellow rookie tackling-machine Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers, who was drafted 38 spots ahead of him.  Many of these tackles are consistently in the backfield, as he has a knack for stuffing backs at the line and running down backs who get to the outside.  Bobby Wagner, with his strong leadership and physical skills, is seen by many as the future captain of this tough new defense.

Bobby Wagner stretches before his NFL preseason debut at CenturyLink Field.

The Seattle Seahawks defense is now considered a major threat each and every snap.  It is one of the youngest starting corps. in all the NFL, with a knock-out secondary that includes CB Richard Sherman(6'3"), CB Brandon Browner(6'4"), SS Kam Chancellor(6'3"), and FS veteran Earl Thomas.  The front seven are made up of strong pass-rushers and intimidating linebackers, led by Chris Clemons, Bruce Irvin, K.J. Wright, and Bobby Wagner.  All these names excluding Clemons and Thomas are either rookies or second-year players.  This extraordinary group of defenders will continue to grow and develop into one of the most dominant defenses of the new decade.