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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, May 1, 2006

Mehelona to Titans in round 5

 •  Ex-Maine WR last pick in draft

Advertiser Staff

Mahelona

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Kealakehe High graduate Jesse Mahelona was the last pick in the fifth round, the 169th overall player and sixth pick of the Tennessee Titans in the NFL draft yesterday.

Mahelona was a 6-foot, 1/2-inch, 305-pound All-America defensive tackle from the University of Tennessee.

"I was like 'Woah!' ... Oh, I'm stuck in Tennessee again," Mahelona said in a phone interview. "A lot of people already know me there, so I should have a lot of fans. I feel good — it hasn't set in yet. I want to get to camp already."

Mahelona said he leaves for camp today.

"He's a big, strong, productive defensive tackle," Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher said on the team's Web site. "He's very active, finishes plays and real strong at the point of attack. A little undersized from the height standpoint, but weight and strength he's productive there. "

Mahelona, of Kailua, Kona, started his college career at Hawai'i before transferring to Orange Coast (Calif.) Junior College. He then played for the Volunteers for two years.