Warriors' Tinoisamoa likely to enter NFL draft

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa apparently has decided to forgo an opportunity to play for the Warriors next season and will declare himself eligible for the National Football League draft in April.

Tinoisamoa yesterday told The Advertiser he sealed his decision Tuesday night, when he accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

The NFL sponsors the Senior Bowl, and players are paid to play, thus ending a participant's amateur status.

"I think once you go into the Senior Bowl, you can't come back," Tinoisamoa said after yesterday's practice. "I accepted an invitation, if that means anything."

Tinoisamoa said the decision "was pretty tough, because I love being around these players and being around these people. But, you know, I came in with these group of guys — Justin Colbert and Vince (Manuwai) and T-Mitch (Thero Mitchell) and KB (Keith Bhonapha) — I mean, it's an honor to go out with them."

Tinoisamoa is in his fourth year — and third season — at UH. Because he was admitted as a partial academic qualifier in 1999, according to NCAA rules, he will be eligible for a fourth season of college football if he earns a bachelor's degree by August. At his weekly news conference Monday, UH coach June Jones said there was a possibility Tinoisamoa would meet that deadline.

Relinquishing that opportunity, Tinoisamoa said, "yeah, it's kind of sad. But I'm sure Coach Jones wants the best for me. Right now, it seems that's the best situation. Things worked out the right way. I felt I contributed a lot and did my part. I think it's pretty equal."

Jerry Jones, who has analyzed the NFL draft for 26 years, said the 6-foot, 212-pound Tinoisamoa is making the right decision.

Jones, publisher of the Drugstore List, said the Senior Bowl does not easily extend invitations, and to receive one, "that's practically as good as getting drafted." He also said the pool of linebacker prospects is narrow this year.

Jones said Tinoisamoa was not considered to be a high pro prospect last summer. But a strong season, punctuated by a career-high 19 tackles against Alabama last week, boosted his stock. Jones said Tinoisamoa could be drafted between the second and fourth rounds.

The scouts have timed Tinoisamoa running 40 yards in 4.62 seconds. "He's almost fast enough to play safety," Jones said.

Jones said Tinoisamoa probably will have to gain about 20 pounds to compete at outside linebacker in the NFL.

"He's moving up the list," Jones said. "He's very draftable."

Jones said UH right guard Vince Manuwai, who also will play in the Senior Bowl, could be a first-round selection, and linebacker Chris Brown, center Lui Fuata and punter Mat McBriar have a chance to be drafted.

Although interior offensive linemen usually are not as much in demand as tackles, Jones said, "Manuwai is the real deal."