Marcus Trufant

Lore & Background

Trufant's journey from Wilson High School in Tacoma to the NFL was rooted in local pride. After being recruited by Washington State head coach Mike Price, he started all four years for the Cougars and was a member of the 2003 Rose Bowl team that lost to the Oklahoma Sooners. He did not allow a single touchdown against him for his last two years in college. Selected 11th overall by the Seahawks in the 2003 NFL draft, Trufant quickly became a cornerstone of the defense.

In 2007, he intercepted a career-high 7 passes, returning one for an 84-yard touchdown, deflected 15 passes, and made 85 tackles, earning a trip to the 2008 Pro Bowl in Hawaii. After the 2007 season, the Seahawks placed the franchise tag on him, then signed him to a six-year, $50.2 million deal with a $10 million signing bonus in March 2008. Trufant was placed on injured reserve on October 17, 2011, with a bruised sacrum, ending his season. The Seahawks released him on March 8, 2012, but re-signed him one month and one day later on April 9, 2012, to a one-year contract.

He later signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on May 7, 2013, reuniting him with former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, but was released on August 30, 2013. On April 23, 2014, Trufant signed a one-day contract to retire as a Seattle Seahawk.

Reader's Guide

Marcus Trufant defined Seahawks cornerback play for a decade after being selected 11th overall in the 2003 NFL draft out of Washington State. A Tacoma native, he was a hometown favorite who started all four years for the Cougars and never allowed a touchdown in his final two college seasons. In Seattle, he wore number 23 and became known for his physical press coverage and reliability. His best season came in 2007, when he intercepted 7 passes, deflected 15, and made 85 tackles, earning his only Pro Bowl selection.

He was franchise-tagged in February 2008 and signed a six-year, $50.2 million contract the following month. After a bruised sacrum ended his 2011 season on injured reserve, he was released and re-signed in 2012. He spent 2013 with the Jaguars before retiring as a Seahawk in 2014. Trufant's legacy includes mentoring the Legion of Boom secondary from 2010 to 2012 and being named to the Seahawks 35th Anniversary team and Top 50 players list.