Posted on: Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Three UH prospects impress NFL scouts

Advertiser Staff

University of Hawai'i defensive tackle Isa'ako "Isaac" Sopoaga is one of the prospects NFL general managers, coaches and scouts are talking about, according to NFL.com.

He, along with defensive end Travis LaBoy and cornerback Kelvin Millhouse, took part in the UH Pro Day March 23 in Los Angeles. More than 100 schools conduct Pro Days.

According to the Web site, those in attendance included head coaches Butch Davis (Browns), Marvin Lewis (Bengals) and Dick Vermeil (Chiefs), along with about 80 other NFL personnel.

The workout was run by Athletes' Performance, an institute that helps athletes progress and prepare for the pros.

According to the Web site, Sopoaga, 6 feet 2‹ and 314 pounds, did position drills, "which he looked great in."

Since he wowed scouts at February's NFL combine by bench-pressing the standard 225 pounds 42 times, Sopoaga wasn't planning on lifting.

But when told Colorado State's Bryan Save was the "clubhouse leader" at 44, Sopoaga, without preparing, laid on the bench and did 40 reps.

The Web site also said Millhouse "really looked good."

At 6 feet 1 and 208 pounds, Millhouse ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 and 4.46. He did 21 reps at 225 pounds, had a 40-inch vertical leap and a 9-8 long jump.

The 6-3›, 258-pound LaBoy, who ran a 4.69 in the combine, just did defensive line and linebacker drills.

The NFL draft will be held April 24-25 with Sopoaga expected to be the first UH player drafted.

According to Foxsports.com, had Sopoaga known about the combine bench record of 45 reps, he would have shattered Bruce Clark's 25-year-old record.

Instead, Sopoaga simply wanted to beat the 41 reps by fellow defensive tackle Igor Olshansky of Oregon.

"He actually did 30 reps without stopping," said Texas defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs on the Web site. "He then said '41, here I come.' He took a deep breath and ran off 12 more like it was nothing."