Five UH Warriors Drafted

[Dos Equis]

DE Ikaika Alama-Francis second round to Detroit
C  SamsonSatele second round to Miami
DE  Mel Purcell sixth round to Cleveland
FB  Reagan Mauia sixth round to Miami
RB  Nate Ilaoa seventh round to Philly

Tough luck for Tala Esera (OL), Dane Uperesa (OL), and safety Leonard Peters (40 time killed him). They'll all get into camp with someone.

This further shows the genius of June Jones. Ikaika Alama-Francis joined the team as a converted basketball player. Didn't play high school football. He was barely 200 pounds. June predicted he would be a first round pick . . . during Ikaika's first year.

June converted Reagan Mauia from DT to RB. Reagan weighed 350 at the time. He's now down to about 270.

Ashley Lelie (first round pick now with the Niners) and Chad Owens (All American, 6th round pick now with Tampa) were both walk-ons. June picked up Pisa Tinoisamoa after he had trouble with the law.  He's now one of the best LBs in the NFL.  Same with Colt Brennan and WR Davone Bess (he will get drafted next year if he comes out early).  We have a guy named Ray Hisatake who we just signed as a DT and June converted him to an OT. The man is brilliant.

[body88]

Congrats!!!

[Dos Equis]

Congrats!!!

Thanks.  I'm really happy for these kids.  I watched them grow up.   

[body88]

Thanks.  I'm really happy for these kids.  I watched them grow up.   

Good story.... I am happy for them. Happy for the hometown boy Zack Deossie out here in MA. Went to the Giants in the fourth round. They will realize what a wise pick that was in a few years.

[americanbulldog]

Ikaika Alama Francis will make a great pro.  His Dad has kept him grounded. 

[Dos Equis]

• Left tackle Tala Esera agreed to a free-agent deal with the Miami Dolphins.
• Right tackle Dane Uperesa agreed to a free-agent deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Safety Leonard Peters agreed to a free-agent deal with the New York Jets.
• Cornerback Kenny Patton agreed to a free-agent deal with the Oakland Raiders.
• Nose tackle Lawrence Wilson signed a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com/index.php?blog=9

[Dos Equis]

Update:

- Ikaika Alama-Francis has gotten reps with the first team at DE.  He'll probably play this Sunday.
- Samson Satele will start at center for the Dolphins.
- Reagan Mauia will start at FB for the Dolphins.
- Mel Purcell was cut by the Browns and signed to the practice squad.
- Nate Ilaoa was cut by the Eagles.  Hasn't been picked up yet. 
- Tala Esera cut by the Dolphins and signed to the practice squad.
- Dane Uperesa cut by the Bengals and signed to the practice squad. 

That's three of our guys from the 06 team on active rosters, with two of them starting as rookies, and three others on practice squads.  Great accomplishment. 

[CalvinH]

Update:

- Ikaika Alama-Francis has gotten reps with the first team at DE.  He'll probably play this Sunday.
- Samson Satele will start at center for the Dolphins.
- Reagan Mauia will start at FB for the Dolphins.
- Mel Purcell was cut by the Browns and signed to the practice squad.
- Nate Ilaoa was cut by the Eagles.  Hasn't been picked up yet. 
- Tala Esera cut by the Dolphins and signed to the practice squad.
- Dane Uperesa cut by the Bengals and signed to the practice squad. 

That's three of our guys from the 06 team on active rosters, with two of them starting as rookies, and three others on practice squads.  Great accomplishment. 

GOOD JOB!

[Dos Equis]

GOOD JOB!

Thanks.  I think we'll have at least another five drafted next year. 

[body88]

That is great news beach.

[Option D]

Thanks.  I think we'll have at least another five drafted next year. 

hey beach...I didnt tell you how close i was to goin to play at hawaii...

[Dos Equis]

That is great news beach.

Thanks body.  Those boys earned it. 

[Dos Equis]

hey beach...I didnt tell you how close i was to goin to play at hawaii...

What year?  If it was during VonCRAPen's tenure, I totally understanding not coming here. 

[Option D]

What year?  If it was during VonCRAPen's tenure, I totally understanding not coming here. 

It was after the 99 season I think Von Appen was gone in 98. I graduated in May of 2000. I went on an official trip there in march of 2000. Jones was the coach. He had just changed the name and won the WAC....and changed the colors to black.

I had spoke with coach McMackin in december of 99 who was cool as hell. And my whole recruiting relationship with him...He said he was going to let me play (will) linebacker and SS as soon as i got the defense down...then he leaves and goes to Texas and i didnt like the guy Coach Jones had baught in. This fool was talkin about i needed to play free safety and i couldnt play for a couple of years...So i decided not to go.

[Dos Equis]

It was after the 99 season I think Von Appen was gone in 98. I graduated in May of 2000. I went on an official trip there in march of 2000. Jones was the coach. He had just changed the name and won the WAC....and changed the colors to black.

I had spoke with coach McMackin in december of 99 who was cool as hell. And my whole recruiting relationship with him...He said he was going to let me play (will) linebacker and SS as soon as i got the defense down...then he leaves and goes to Texas and i didnt like the guy Coach Jones had baught in. This fool was talkin about i needed to play free safety and i couldnt play for a couple of years...So i decided not to go.

I see.  Can't say I blame you.  We did put two LBs in the pros from that period (Pisa Tinoisamoa and Jeff Ulbrich).  Our D really struggled after McMackin left.  All the way until Glanville showed up two years ago.  McMackin came back this year.  Our D is going to be really good this year.

I think all three of our starting LBs can possibly play on Sundays:  Adam Leonard, Solomon Elimimian, and Blaze Soares.  Just a solid group.  They fly around.  Hit people.  Wrap up.  Sideline to sideline. 

[Option D]

I see.  Can't say I blame you.  We did put two LBs in the pros from that period (Pisa Tinoisamoa and Jeff Ulbrich).  Our D really struggled after McMackin left.  All the way until Glanville showed up two years ago.  McMackin came back this year.  Our D is going to be really good this year.

I think all three of our starting LBs can possibly play on Sundays:  Adam Leonard, Solomon Elimimian, and Blaze Soares.  Just a solid group.  They fly around.  Hit people.  Wrap up.  Sideline to sideline. 

I remember back in 2000 yall had a white dude at strong safety with real long hair...that dude was a all hawk...a bit undersized but he had loads of heart....Sometimes i wish i would have went there. They put the WAC on the map and i could have been a part of something special.

[Dos Equis]

I remember back in 2000 yall had a white dude at strong safety with real long hair...that dude was a all hawk...a bit undersized but he had loads of heart....Sometimes i wish i would have went there. They put the WAC on the map and i could have been a part of something special.

Nate Jackson.  He was about 160 soaking wet.  Hit like a truck.  Got into camp with the Titans but had health problems.  I think he actually had heart surgery.  Great kid.  One of my all-time favorites. 

Don't sweat it man.  What's going on right now is really special.