Trumping history and reputation, the University of Hawai'i football team yesterday graduated eight more players to the National Football League — three through the draft and five through free agency.

In the sixth round of yesterday's draft, the Miami Dolphins picked running back Reagan Mauia, and the Cleveland Browns selected defensive end Melila Purcell III. In the seventh — and final — round, the Philadelphia Eagles selected running back Nate Ilaoa.

After that, five former Warriors agreed to free-agent deals — left tackle Tala Esera with the Dolphins, right tackle Dane Uperesa with the Cincinnati Bengals, safety Leonard Peters with the New York Jets, cornerback Kenny Patton with the Oakland Raiders and nose tackle Lawrence Wilson with the Baltimore Ravens.

Wideouts Ian Sample and Chad Mock are in negotiations with the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League.

Including the two selected Saturday — defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis by the Detroit Lions and center Samson Satele by the Dolphins — the names of a school-record five former Warriors were called in the two-day, 255-pick NFL draft.

Only Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio State and Florida had more players drafted than Hawai'i.

"That's amazing," UH head coach June Jones said.

Even more surprising is that of the 10 former Warriors who will report to NFL mini camps this week, two are running backs and five are defensive players. The Warriors are known widely for Jones' four-wide passing offense.

"Who knew we were a running back school?" Jones said, laughing.

UH's offense uses only one running back at a time.

"It's not too often you see two backs from the same backfield go in the same draft," Ilaoa said. "It's a wonderful thing."

Mauia, who moved to running back with two games remaining in the 2005 season, was stunned at being drafted. He had planned to sleep through yesterday's telecast of the draft.

"I started getting all of these calls, with people telling me I got drafted," Mauia said. "I thought I was dreaming."

Mauia first enrolled at UH in August 2005, joining the Warriors as a non-scholarship player. Born in American Samoa, Mauia was raised in Northern California.

"I'm not a gambling man," Mauia said of his decision to attend UH, "but I wanted a good future for my son. (Playing football) is one of the best ways I knew how."

Mauia was a nose tackle until he was asked to practice as a running back on the scout team. "I saw his balance and quick feet for a guy his size, and I thought he could be a pretty good running back," Jones said.

Mauia welcomed the move. "When I was growing up and playing pickup (football), I always wanted the ball," he said. "As big as I was, I loved running with the ball. I liked to see the look on the people trying to tackle me. Then I'd kill them."

Mauia weighed more than 360 pounds when he was a UH nose tackle. He weighed under 300 last season. Through intensive workouts and a strict diet (only chicken and salads), Mauia, who is 5 feet 11, reduced his weight to 270.

"It's going to be so much fun to watch him learn to play football in the National Football League," Jones said. "He'll be something else."

Purcell also did not expect to be drafted. During the draft telecast, he and his family went out for breakfast.

"If we get the call, we get the call," he remembered thinking.

The Browns called, much to Purcell's surprise. "They never spoke to me (before the draft)," Purcell said, noting the Dolphins and New England Patriots showed the most interest.

Jones said: "I talked to all of the scouts (about Purcell). I said, 'I'm not even going to make a highlight tape. You just pick up one of his last five games and watch it.' "

In the meantime, Ilaoa, who is related to Purcell and Satele, waited anxiously since arriving at 4:30 a.m. yesterday at his parents' home in Kapolei. "I was sitting there, waking everybody up with the TV blasting," he said.

In the sixth round, the Pittsburgh Steelers called, saying they would take him in the seventh round. When their turn came, they took a receiver.

"I was getting worried," Ilaoa said. "Then Philadelphia called. They wanted to put coach (Andy) Reid on the phone. That's when I knew."

Yesterday afternoon, Ilaoa was wearing an Eagles beanie. "We have all kinds of gear to match our shoes and outfits," said Ilaoa, who collects athletic shoes. He has more than 200 pairs of unused shoes.

"I've never worn this," said Ilaoa, pointing to the beanie. "I guess it was sitting there for three years waiting for this day."

Even before the draft ended, the other top UH prospects were kept busy. Esera received free-agent offers from 10 teams. Uperesa had his choice from a dozen offers. The Jets promised they would not draft a safety if Peters would sign with them.

"It was crazy," said Max Hannemann, Esera's agent. "Talk about being aggressive. I thought agents were aggressive. It's nice when you don't have to call any team. The teams are calling you."

Hannemann said Esera insisted on accepting the Miami offer.

Peters said he chose the Jets because he felt comfortable with New York head coach Eric Mangini. They met on the eve of UH's Pro Day last month in Carson, Calif. The Jets had only four draft picks this year. "They said (Peters) was really their fifth draft pick," agent Joe Palumbo said.

Peters said: "It was the best decision for me. There were other teams interested, like the Steelers and Bears. But they already have safeties they drafted. The Jets are the best option for me."

Patton said he is happy to play again after suffering a season-ending collarbone injury last October. Patton's impressive showing at the Pro Day likely earned him the free-agent offer.

"It's all fun after this," Patton said. "When I hurt my collarbone, I thought I was done. I'm going to do my best."

Esera, Uperesa and Patton will sign three-year contracts. Only their signing bonuses are guaranteed. Wilson said he signed his contract yesterday.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.