Jonathan Amosa signs with Packers; Justin Glenn signs with Chiefs

After rookie mini-camp tryouts, two former Washington Huskies have earned spots with NFL teams: Jonathan Amosa and Justin Glenn have signed with the Packers and Chiefs, respectively.

Every year NFL teams hold tryouts in these mini-camps, which consist of draft picks, undrafted free agents (UDFA) and the tryout players like Glenn and Amosa. After five years as Washington Huskies, the two have realized dreams of being on an NFL team. Their work isn't close to done yet. Just getting signed after the contract isn't enough to make the roster on opening week. This merely gives the players a chance to fight for a roster spot in training camp.

The local Seattle Seahawks are very well-known for kicking the tires on everything possible. They already have cut one of their UDFAs, which just goes to show that no spot is safe at this point in the off-season. Amosa and Glenn will have to keep pressing to be on the team starting this season. Their best chances are to try and make the practice squads for their teams, but that is still far from a guarantee.

Amosa started his career at UW as a walk-on linebacker. He redshirted his freshman season, and then served as a scout team linebacker for the next two seasons, earning a scholarship for his redshirt sophomore season, but still not receiving any in-game action. His fourth season is when he finally earned playing time, playing in the first ten games of the season.

In 2011 he earned the first touchdown of the season by scoring on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Keith Price against Eastern Washington. He has served as the team's primary fullback the past two seasons, leading the way for strong seasons by Bishop Sankey and Chris Polk, the War Daddy -- I can't get over how amazing that nickname is.

Amosa also was among the All-Pac-12 Academic Honorable mentions for the 2012 season. (gohuskies profile)

Glenn was another five-year player for the Dawgs. He redshirted his freshman season, serving on the scout team, and was named scout team player of the week for defense and special teams each during his time on the scout team. The next season. his redshirt freshman year, he played in the first five games before breaking his leg against Notre Dame, in his third start of the season. Against Stanford he had a 51-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.

His next season started late as he continued to recover from his broken leg, as he earned a little bit of playing time in eight of UW's games. His redshirt junior season is when he started to earn the most playing time. He played in every one of Washington's 13 games, and had 15 tackles versus Nebraska, the highest single-game total for any Husky all season long.

The Mukilteo native's final, fifth-year senior season was his best. He was named an honorable mention to the All-Pac-12 team, and was given the special teams player of the year award as well. He had two interceptions and also recovered another fumble in addition to a multitude of tackles throughout the season. (gohuskies profile)

Glenn and Amosa will both have to star on special teams to make their respective rosters. Glenn already has an advantage in that category, and may end up scraping a career in the NFL out of being a special teams ace and depth at strong safety.

Amosa could be a potential H-back, a fullback-tight end hybrid position created in the NFL's never ending search for a numbers advantage. His ability as both a lead blocker and a receiver lends him to this position very well. He will be competing for a job as the backup fullback, as John Kuhn is very well entrenched as the starter in Green Bay.

Victor Aiyewa also earned a tryout with the Packers but was not offered a contract.

Thank you Justin and Jonathan for your time as Dawgs. You represented the University of Washington on and off the field well.