Kirk Parrish, Senior College Scouting Coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks informed former Iowa guard Beau Stephens that he was going to be drafted.
“Just traded up to get you, man.”
“Oh that’s sick. Thank you I appreciate that,” Beau said in response to being informed that the Seahawks loved him enough to trade up for him. Beau has many accolades to his resume: First-Team All-American, Second-Team All-American, First-Team All-Big Ten,
Second-Team All-Big Ten. In terms of the type of offensive lineman that the Seahawks are looking for, he fits the bill. He will also be reuniting with former teammate Mason Richman who is an offensive lineman on the Seahawks.
“You were just staring at us. We had to go get you.”
Head coach Mike Macdonald informed his new guard with an obvious ecstatic grin on his face. Beau had the third highest zone-blocking grade in the draft, and was awarded the Hayden Fry Award twice for his leadership and dedication. He was also a part of the Iowa Hawkeyes offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award for best offensive line unit in college football.
“Are you with anybody right now? Are you with family?”
Mike continues to keep family as a central part of something he focuses on with his players. He cares about his players, and recognizes that they are more than just chess pieces on his team, but people with families. Mike seemed curious because he couldn’t hear them and asked if they were cheering. Beau seemingly chuckled, “No, they’re trying to be as quiet as possible. So I can hear you alright.” That got a chuckle out of his new head coach. “Yeah, they know the drill. I love it,” Mike said in response with a smile. “You got a great opportunity. And we love you.” Said the Super Bowl winning head coach to Beau before handing the phone over to offensive doordinator Brian Fleury.
“It’s gonna be ‘Go Hawks’ for a little while longer.”
Stephens did not allow a single sack in the last 3 years of his college career, and no hits allowed on the quarterback in 2025. He also has guard flexibility, having played right guard in 2022, and left guard since then. This gives the Seahawks flexibility along the offensive line, something they value, and something offensive line coach John Benton likes in his lineman.
“I’m doing freaking fantastic right now,” Beau said with laughter and joy in his voice when Benton asked his new guard how he was.
“There you go. You’re a freaking world champion right off the bat. How about that?” asked Benton with a large grin. Benton helped turn the offensive line of the Seahawks around last season, going from a bottom unit in 2024 to a top 10 unit in 2025. He will look to build on that, and Beau seems to be a part of that plan. He will likely compete with starting right guard Anthony Bradford and Bryce Cabeldue for the starter role in 2026. Bradford is in the last year of his deal, and Cabeldue was pick 192 in 2025.
As Beau said while talking to Parrish, “Oh snap. Let’s freakin’ go!”
