The Redskins Blog

So’oto Keeps Linebacker Play In Family

(AP photos)

The Washington Redskins today announced the signing of linebacker Vic So’oto to their active roster from the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad.

So’oto, 25, who will wear No. 58 with the Redskins, was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as a college free agent out of Brigham Young on July 28, 2011. He was inactive for Weeks 1-3 with Green Bay before making his NFL debut in Week 4 and appeared in seven games for the Packers in 2011, totaling seven tackles (five solo), one sack and adding three tackles on special teams.

But he’s not the first member of his family to make it to the NFL, let alone at the linebacker position.

So’oto is the second cousin of future Pro Football Hall of Famer and linebacker great Junior Seau, a 12-time Pro Bowl selection who was named to the 1990s NFL All-Decade team.

Seau — who starred for the San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (2003-2005) and New England Patriots (2006-2009) — amassed 1,849 tackles with 56.5 sacks, 18 interceptions and three forced fumbles in his illustrious career.

So’oto, whose NFL career is obviously just beginning, showed similar playmaking abilities to Seau’s while at BYU, where, as a defensive end, he totaled 55 tackles, including 15.5 for loss, six sacks and an interception in his final two seasons at the school.

But So’oto’s coming out party in the pros came Sept. 1, 2011, when, in the Packers’ fourth preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he dominated to the tune of 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and this interception return for a touchdown:

So with that, welcome to D.C., Vic!