Ex-Baylor hoops star Vital signed to Seahawks' practice squad

Former Baylor star Mark Vital is taking his talents from the hardwood to the gridiron.

The Seattle Seahawks announced the signing of Vital to their practice squad Thursday. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder will attempt to launch his NFL career as a tight end.

"I feel like I can be a Hall of Famer," Vital told KPLC's Brady Renard. "I'm already getting compared to Antonio Gates from different scouts and teams when hearing them talk about me.

"I'm already getting compared to a Hall of Famer and that's motivation to me to get to that level. I can see the similarities. He and I are both explosive, fast, and big. We are built the same."

Vital hasn't played football since middle school. He gave up the sport in Grade 8 to focus on basketball.

The 24-year-old played a key role in Baylor's first national championship last season.

Vital was a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year during his junior and senior years.

After going undrafted and spending summer league with the Portland Trail Blazers, Vital announced earlier this week that he was pursuing an NFL career.

"I was never going to leave basketball just to leave basketball. I had a plan, but I had to make sure that the plan was right," said Vital. "I'm leaving basketball with things on the table. I had exhibit 10s, two-ways, and overseas deals. For me to leave that, I actually had to have something in football."