As a junior, he helped the team achieve the best record (9–3) in school history and qualify to the playoffs for the first time.
As a rookie, he started 3 games at left tackle, when he passed Louis Bullard on the depth chart.
On November 27, he scored a touchdown on a two-yard pass from Jim Zorn, for the only Seahawks' points in a 7–51 loss against the Dallas Cowboys.
In 1986, rookie Ron Mattes was named the starter at left tackle and Essink ended up missing the entire season because of elbow injuries.
On August 25, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth round draft choice (#120-Chris Gaines).