When Julian Love arrived at Notre Dame as an 18-year-old freshman in 2016, Quenton Nelson, two years older and already an established starter, immediately stood out.
"As an 18-year-old kid, Quenton was the first guy where I was like, 'OK, that's a pro,'" Love said. "I understood kind of what a college good player was—this guy was incredible. For a long time, I used to say he was the best player I ever played with, so it's cool to have him on the team."
Love recalled how, in 2017, Nelson and left tackle Mike McGlinchey, who would both become top 10 picks the following spring, paved the way for a huge season for running back Josh Adams.
"My sophomore year, 2017, on the left side of our line, it was him at left guard and McGlinchey at left tackle," Love said. "We had a really good running back, but he was in the Heisman race because we just ran to the left side, and he got a lot of yards off of it. You felt the impact, which is rare to feel with O-linemen, but you felt the impact. You knew that guy was special."
Love added that when he arrived at Notre Dame and met Nelson, he realized the offensive lineman stood out.
"I saw a grown man," he recalled. "He carried himself like a professional, and the time he was probably 20… He just carried himself a certain way, he was tough as hell, he had a little bit of that O-line grit and toughness and A-hole to him, but every time I'd talk with him, it always love, even though he was an older guy, even though he was an All-American already. I think that goes to how his character is built."
So Love, of course, was pretty excited when he heard the Seahawks had acquired Nelson, an eight-time Pro-Bowler and six-time All-Pro, in a trade with the Colts.
"Pretty excited," Love said. "He's a man's man. He's a walking Hall of Famer, which is pretty crazy. Obviously, I'm a homer with a Domer bias, but he's established in this league."
Quarterback Sam Darnold, meanwhile, is looking forward to seeing what Nelson will bring to an offense and O-line that is coming off a strong performance in last week's win over the Chiefs, and has also been impressed by how Nelson's new teammates and fellow linemen have embraced him.
"Q coming in here, he adds a lot of experience," Darnold said. "He's a really talented football player. He adds a lot of experience to this group. With our guys too, sometimes with things like this can be tough on a group and tough on a team by coming in and shaking things up, but Q's been doing a great job of just learning everything. I think our offensive line in general has done a great job of welcoming him with open arms. They've been handling the situation with grace."
Also excited about the addition of Nelson are the defensive linemen who know what it's like to have played against him.
"He can cause a lot of problems," defensive tackle Byron Murphy II said. "His resume speaks for itself. Eight-time (Pro Bowler), he's been doing it for a long time, he's been doing it at the highest level. Having a guy like that, he can help us win a lot of games, make everybody around him better, even helping run game-wise and the passing game. But as far as seeing it up close, even going against him last year, there was times where he gave me problems. We went back and forth, had our battles and everything. He's a great player. He can do it all. He can maul you in the run game. He can pass protect. No matter what alignment you're in, if you're in a two or a three technique, he knows how to block from any alignment, a defensive lineman is in. Having a guy like that is very helpful."
Said fellow defensive tackle Leonard Williams: "He's a great player. Great decision to bring him over here. He's going to help us win games, and shoutout to AB (Anthony Bradford), He's a great player as well, he's coming off of a great game. I try to talk to both of those guys about the business of it all. I've been through it on both sides. I've been in AB's situation, I've been in Quenton's situation and as a veteran, I'm trying to share my wisdom with both of those guys. Telling Q the differences around here and what it means to come into a new organization. Same with AB."
Asked about facing Nelson last season, Williams said, "What I remember about Quenton is his effort, also his technique. There's high-caliber talent athletes and humans in this league, but the guys who can put their talent, matched with their technique and effort, are the ones who are in that higher caliber of player. That's what I think about Quenton."
The Seahawks held their first practice of the week on Thursday, October 29 as they get ready to host the Chicago Bears in Week 8.
Seahawks guard Quenton Nelson (53) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Quenton Nelson (53) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Ben Sims (49) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) and cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) and defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14), quarterback Drew Lock (2) and quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) and running back Robert Henry Jr. (34) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) and cornerback Michael Dansby (37) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) and kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Quenton Nelson (53) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Quenton Nelson (53) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) and guard Quenton Nelson (53) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Bobby Hart (68) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) and center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Beau Stephens (70) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Quenton Nelson (53) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) and center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Quenton Nelson (53) and center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Irv Charles (85) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Malick Meiga (83) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Robert Henry Jr. (34), running back Emanuel Wilson (23) and running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (23) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Robert Henry Jr. (34) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Robert Henry Jr. (34) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Irv Charles (85) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Quenton Nelson (53) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Quenton Nelson (53) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Ben Sims (49) practiced on Thursday, October 29 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
