I think the fact that he played college football in Seattle makes people want to see him succeed more than they otherwise would. But dude was legit in college, he wasn't just being looked at with purple colored glasses. He led the nation in tackles as a senior. First-team all-american, pac-12 defensive player of the year.
He had the production but just never had the size/speed to considered a high-end NFL prospect. There was reason to be optimistic about him though, because there have been plenty of guys that fit that description who have gone in to have successful professional careers.