Three Warriors picked on first day of NFL Draft
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
On a draft day filled with surprises, few were bigger than the telephone call that greeted Pisa Tinoisamoa yesterday at his San Diego home.
Wayne Hunter and girlfriend Sirena-Lynn Acebedo celebrated with friends at Waimanalo after his selection by Seattle.
The St. Louis Rams pounced on the former University of Hawai'i linebacker by selecting him in the second round of the NFL Draft. That amazed nearly everyone, including Tinoisamoa.
"I was kind of shocked," said Tinoisamoa, who was a projected late second-round or third-round pick by UH coach June Jones. "I'm just happy it's finally done."
Tinoisamoa — the 43rd overall pick and the Rams' second pick — was the first UH player drafted yesterday. Teammates Vince Manuwai and Wayne Hunter were picked back-to-back in the third round. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Manuwai, an offensive guard, with the 72nd overall pick and the Seattle Seahawks followed with Hunter, an offensive tackle.
The selections of Tinoisamoa, Manuwai and Hunter marked the first time that three UH players were drafted within the first three rounds.
"I'm just so happy for everybody like Pisa and Wayne," Manuwai said. "Hopefully (today) some other Hawai'i guys can sneak in like (center) Lui Fuata and (linebacker) Chris Brown."
The draft's first three rounds were held yesterday with the final four rounds today. Today's rounds will be televised on ESPN at 5 a.m. and ESPN2 at 11:30 a.m.
Pisa Tinoisamoa
Tinoisamoa led the Warriors with 129 tackles last season and decided to forgo his senior year to enter the NFL Draft.
The award-winning California high school linebacker ran into off-field trouble in San Diego before coming to Hawai'i, but received a second chance to turn his life around and play football with the Warriors. Hawai'i coach Jones withstood heavy public criticism when he offered a scholarship to Tinoisamoa who had served time in a juvenile probation facility for a felony assault conviction.
"We investigated that at length," St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz told the Associated Press. "He's had no problems at Hawai'i in the four years he's been over there. I'm from the area (San Diego) he grew up. It has a reputation in some respects for gangs. He got caught up in a gang. But he was able to get out of it. And since he's gotten out of it, he's squared away. I don't have any problems with him."
Yesterday, Tinoisamoa fielded congratulatory phone calls from the Rams' coaches.
"I talked to coach Martz and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith," Tinoisamoa said. "It was all good."
Tinoisamoa said the Rams were particularly impressed with his enthusiasm for the game.
"They said I played with passion," said Tinoisamoa, who is 6 feet, ¥ inches and 229 pounds. "That's basically it. If you play this game with a certain love and feel for this game, they like that. I've been preparing myself for something like this, so I'm ready to go."
Vince Manuwai
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Manuwai spent yesterday monitoring his caller ID on his telephone when the Jacksonville Jaguars called to announce that he was their man.
Vince Manuwai, selected in the NFL Draft by Jacksonville, celebrated with his family at their Kane'ohe home.
"I was kind of looking at the numbers and it had a '904' area code," said Manuwai, a 6-2, 304-pound second-team All-American. "There's nobody I know that has an area code like that."
Manuwai said he talked with offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, who told him the Jaguars had both Manuwai and Hunter "on the board" to select.
"They knew if they took one of us, that the other one would come off the board real fast," Manuwai said. "They took me and told me what what position I would be playing — left guard. As soon as I looked up I saw Wayne's name on the television."
Manuwai said Boudreau gave him a boost of confidence when he challenged him to compete for a starting job.
"He said he's been coaching for 17 years in the NFL and he's only had five players that started as rookies," Manuwai said. "He said, 'Vince, when you come in, let's see you be the sixth one, hopefully.' "
Manuwai said he wasn't too concerned about his draft position. Draft analysts projected the offensive guard to be selected in the first two rounds. Hawai'i coach Jones called Manuwai the best offensive lineman he has coached in college or the pros.
"I'm just so happy to be going on the first day," said Manuwai, who will be reunited with a former workout partner and Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich in Jacksonville. "I was the second guard drafted. They had predicted me as at least the top second guard in the draft."
Manuwai's agents advised him to attend minicamp that begins Friday and not to worry about a contract. Manuwai said he took that advice to heart.
"I feel that the more important thing is to go in and get your playbook and learn things as fast as possible," Manuwai said.
Wayne Hunter
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Hunter admitted to being uneasy as the draft wore on, but said he was relieved when Seattle called.
Former Hawai'i offensive linemen Wayne Hunter, top, and Vince Manuwai, above, garnered a lot of attention after being selected in the third round of the NFL Draft. Hunter celebrated with friends, while Manuwai answered questions from reporters.
Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projected the 6-5, 303-pound junior as a late first-round or early second-round selection.
At Hawai'i, Hunter spent only one season on offense after moving from the defensive line, but impressed scouts with his athleticism and raw talent.
"It was like a rollercoaster," Hunter said of the draft. "Right when my name was called, it was just a burden off my shoulders."
Hunter said Seattle wasn't specific about his assignment with the team, but they did tell him to report to minicamp on the weekend.
Hunter also said he was thrilled to see his teammates being selected on the first day of the draft.
"I was really happy for Pisa and Vince," Hunter said. "Although I was the third Hawai'i guy taken, it doesn't matter. This is just a foot in the door. Everything else will start falling into place from now on."
Hunter said he's willing to compete for a spot on the team and knows that All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones plays the same position as he.
"Although I was a third-round pick, I'm looking to contribute as a first-rounder," Hunter said. "I'm going to fight for that even though there's a real high veteran at left tackle. But I'll give him a hard rub. I'll give him a run for his money."
Others
The first player with Hawai'i ties drafted was Notre Dame center Jeff Faine, who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round, 21st overall. Faine lived in Hawai'i for 10 years. Another player who spent his early life in Hawai'i — Kawika Mitchell — was selected in the second round by Kansas City (47th overall).
