Donovan “DK” Kaufman spent three seasons at Auburn playing safety and nickel back. On Monday, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted rookie – to play running back.

After appearing in two games at Vanderbilt in 2020, Kaufman played 32 games in the next three seasons for Auburn before finishing his college career as a North Carolina State safety in 2024.

Kaufman attended Seattle’s rookie minicamp in May on a tryout basis and did not get a contract.

But with running back Kenny McIntosh going on injured reserve on Monday after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament at training camp on Saturday, the Seahawks reached out to Kaufman to make a position change.

Kaufman joins the competition for the No. 3 running-back spot and at kickoff returner. Last season for N.C. State, Kaufman returned 13 kickoffs for a 31.3-yard average.

The Seahawks opened training camp on Wednesday. Seattle starts its three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.