Villanova defensive back Isas Waxter signed with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent following the draft’s conclusion on Saturday, April 26.
Waxter was the only Wildcat that signed as an undrafted free agent while four others, so far, were invited to NFL team’s Rookie Mini Camps.
“I was kind of hoping to hear my name called and stuff like that,” Waxter told The Villanovan on Sunday. “This was a packed draft with a lot of great players. When I got the opportunity, I was just so elated to be able to call myself an NFL football player in any capacity that it is.”
Waxter was named as an AP All-American honorable mention and a Stats Perform FCS All-American for his performance this past 2024 season.
During his time at Villanova, Waxter played in 46 games, collecting 108 total tackles (75 solo), three interceptions, three forced fumbles and 19 pass breakups.
Waxter missed the entire 2022 season due to injury and was forced to medical redshirt.
His college career started in 2019 as a recruit out of Immaculate Conception in Montclair, NJ, which is closing its doors after this 2024-25 school year. According to Waxter, his high school has never had someone go on to play collegiate football at any level – Division I, II or III.
It also makes him the first student from Immaculate Conception to go to the NFL at any capacity.
“I’ve always considered myself a huge realist,” Waxter said. “So growing up, I always wanted to be within the sport. When I was younger, I told myself I wanted to be a sports commentator. I just loved talking about sports, loved playing sports, but I didn’t know how realistic it was for me to play at a professional level.”
It was not until after Waxter became a Wildcat that he knew he could absolutely play professional football.
“When I got to college in 2019, I believe my first start was against the number two [team] in the country, James Madison University,” Waxter said. “I played a great game. After that, I was like, ‘Alright, this is real. I can really do it.’”
Waxter played his early college seasons with current Buffalo Bills defensive back and Villanova alum Christian Benford. To this day, Benford is one of Waxter’s closest friends.
“I’ve definitely learned a ton of football knowledge from [Benford],” Waxter said. “Obviously, that’s one of the best corners in the league. But he just taught me how to be a good person. Benford is a good mentor, a good father, and everything like that. The thing that he’s taught me the most, really, is that I’m a normal person. I’m still a human being, and to enjoy the finer things in life and not just get too wrapped up in your success in football or anything like that.”
Benford recently signed a four-year, $76 million, extension with the Bills on March 29. It made him one of the top 15 highest-paid defensive backs in the NFL.
At the end of February, Waxter attended the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He ran a 4.56 40-yard dash and had a 35-inch vertical jump. He also participated in Villanova football’s Pro Day at the NovaCare Complex on March 27.
Even though he played cornerback, Waxter sizes in at 6-1 and 209 pounds. He is a physical defensive back who relies on his ability to disrupt receivers’ timing.
Seattle is known for its stacked secondaries of the 2010s, commonly known as the “Legion of Boom.” The secondary included legendary names such as Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner, Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell.
Now Waxter gets a chance to have his name listed amongst theirs.
“Man, it’s great because for our age group, that’s kind of what we grew up watching,” Waxter said. “Them being so dominant, maybe one of the best defenses ever. So just to watch them and kind of be a part of something with the same history, the same pedigree, the same mentality. It’s just phenomenal. Just to be along the likes [of them] and wear the same colors as some of those guys wore.”
The Seahawks took just one defensive player in the entire draft in safety Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina. Emmanwori was drafted in the second round with the 25th overall pick. As for undrafted free agents, Seattle only signed Waxter and cornerback Zy Alexander from Louisiana State University.
The Seahawks currently have Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen listed as their two first-string cornerbacks on the roster. Waxter will have the opportunity to prove that he belongs on an NFL roster this offseason in camp as well as in the 2025 NFL Preseason in August.
