Tru value: Seahawks can't resist taking WSU cornerback

KIRKLAND — Marcus Trufant never saw it coming, never knew where his first job after college would take him.

Too nervous to sleep well the night before the NFL draft, Trufant's anxiety grew as he watched a wild turn of events in the first round yesterday. When the flurry of activity had ended, Trufant had become a Seahawk and soon was off on a 45-minute drive from his family's celebration to Seahawks headquarters.

In the moments before choosing the Tacoma native, the Seahawks were scrambling to call in their pick to a team representative in New York. Seeing Trufant still available on their board at No. 11, team executives wasted no time.

"Things started to happen so fast, and people were getting picked left and right," Trufant said after arriving at the team facility. "Then, the nice No. 11 came up there, and they said 'Marcus Trufant,' and me and my mom and dad started screaming and my brothers were acting crazy, too, and it was just a happy time for me and my family. I wasn't sure where I was going to go, but I'm glad I'm here."

Trufant, 22, is the first cornerback to be taken by the Seahawks in the first round since 1997, when Seattle chose current starter Shawn Springs. The 5-foot-11, 199-pound Trufant is the fourth cornerback the Seahawks have chosen out of the past three drafts.

The selection of Trufant immediately raised questions about Springs' future with the team. Springs, a former Pro Bowl player, is heading into the final year of his contract and has also been the subject of trade rumors.

But the Seahawks appear committed to keeping Springs while adding depth to their secondary. Springs appears invigorated by the aggressive defensive system being installed by new defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes.

"It says he has another young kid behind him that will give him some competition," Seahawks general manager said when asked what drafting Trufant meant to Springs' status. "We want Shawn Springs here, and we're hoping he has a great year, too. You can't ever have enough corners, and I believe that sincerely."

Springs seems, if anything, enthusiastic about the arrival of Trufant, who said he expects to be an understudy this season as he learns from veteran teammates.

"I think it's great. He was the best player in the draft for Seattle," Springs said. "I'm glad he'll get an opportunity to work with a coach like Ray Rhodes."

The Seahawks found themselves caught up in a first-round scramble that started when the Arizona Cardinals traded down from the sixth pick. New Orleans moved up to get a player the Seahawks liked, defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan.

After four picks in quick succession, spurred by Minnesota's failure to make a choice in its 15 minutes, the Seahawks were up. They quickly chose Trufant.

"I think it was no secret we were going to go to the defensive side of the ball in the draft with our first pick," Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. "Obviously we were looking at those big defensive linemen, and we really didn't think Marcus would come to us. But in our division, having good cover people (is important), and this guy's really a special young man."

"We had, as everybody else, rated him very highly," Ferguson said.

Ken Lucas is the other projected starter at cornerback. The Seahawks also have veteran Doug Evans and Kris Richard, a third-round pick last year who is coming back from injury and illness.

Willie Williams, an unrestricted free agent, remains unsigned.

Trufant was a second-team All-American last season and a first-team All-Pac-10 choice. He finished with 11 career interceptions and also returned punts.

"I'm going to come in and try to contribute in any way that I can and any way I'm asked to," Trufant said. "I'm not trying to rush anything, but if I'm ready, and if the coaches feel I'm ready, then I'm ready to step up and play at any time."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com.