Seahawks 90-Man Rundown: George Holani Ready to Prove Worth Again in Crowded Backfield
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Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani warms up prior to a regular season game at SoFi Stadium. Credit: George Holani/Instagram [/caption]
With their offseason program all wrapped up, the Seattle Seahawks will open training camp at the VMAC on July 23, meaning the start of the upcoming season will be here before fans have a chance to blink.
In preparation for year number two under coach Mike Macdonald, I’ll be detailing every member of the Seahawks 90-man roster over the next several weeks, dishing out fun facts, exploring best and worst case scenarios, and predicting what to expect from each player entering the 2025 campaign.
Getting his feet wet playing in nearly half a dozen games as a rookie, will second-year runner George Holani be able to stay in the mix for reps in a crowded Seattle backfield?
George Holani
Height/Weight: 5-11, 210 pounds
2024 Stats: Three rushes, 10 yards
Starring at prep powerhouse St. John Bosco High School in California and earning four-star recruit distinction, Holani took his talents to Boise State and immediately became a star in the Mountain West conference, eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards and scoring 10 total touchdowns as a true freshman. Injuries and a shortened schedule due to COVID impacted his production over the next two seasons, but he rebounded with a strong 2022 campaign, rushing for 1,157 yards and 10 touchdowns while earning All-MWC Second-Team honors.
Injuries once again limited Holani to just eight games as a senior, but he rushed for 748 yards and averaged almost six yards per carry while paired with future top-10 pick Ashton Jeanty, earning an invite to the Hula Bowl and NFL Combine. Going undrafted, he signed with the Seahawks as a priority free agent and enjoyed a stellar training camp and preseason, including scoring a rushing touchdown against the Chargers. Though he didn’t make the team out of camp, he re-signed with the practice squad and despite spending significant time on the injured reserve list, he eventually suited up for five games, rushing for 10 yards on a handful of offensive snaps and adding a tackle on special teams.
Fun Fact: Shining as an all-around back in the preseason last August, Holani earned the fifth-best grade among qualified backs in pass blocking from Pro Football Focus (73.9), allowing no pressures or sacks to go with his two rushing touchdowns.
Best Case Scenario: Once again surpassing expectations and undeterred by competition coming from a running back factory in Boise, Holani puts Kenny McIntosh and incoming rookie Damien Martinez on notice in the preseason, rushing for over 100 yards and scoring three total touchdowns while also contributing on special teams, knocking Martinez off the roster for the fourth running back spot.
Worst Case Scenario: While Holani flashes at times in exhibition play, he’s limited in playing time with McIntosh and Martinez receiving the lion’s share of snaps, leading to him being released in final roster cuts and signing with another team rather than returning as a member of Seattle’s practice squad.
What to Expect in 2025: Given the talent sitting in front of Holani on the depth chart now, it’d be easy to count out the former Boise State standout. Along with a healthy Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet returning, McIntosh ran quite well down the stretch last season and Martinez comes into the league with an impressive resume after rushing for at least 1,000 yards in all three of his collegiate seasons at Oregon State and Miami. If all four of those backs avoid injury, it would seem quite improbable for the Bellflower, California native to make a run at a spot on the 53.
However, Holani does have a few things working in his favor, at least in regard to battling Martinez for the fourth spot. For one, he was a far more productive receiver at the college level than his new counterpart, who dropped a couple of passes in OTAs and doesn’t look near as comfortable being utilized in the passing game at this stage. Second, he’s a polished pass protector who also played well on kick and punt coverage teams last summer, potentially giving him an edge in those two departments. Running the ball well in preseason games will be key to his shot at beating out the seventh round pick, but proving his mettle in other aspects such as catching passes and making tackles on special teams ultimately will decide his fate in what could be the most competitive position group on the entire roster.
