Manase Hungalu is going to have to get used to a different shade of orange.
After not hearing his name called during the seven rounds of the NFL draft, the former Oregon State standout linebacker and Kealakehe grad didn’t have to wait long to find a suitor for his talents. Hungalu signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on Saturday evening.
“I will never question God’s plan,” Hungalu wrote on social media. “Extremely thankful to the Cleveland Browns for this opportunity to live the dream!”
The Browns are an interesting situation for Hungalu, who will be looking to earn a spot at middle linebacker. Cleveland’s starter last season was Joe Schobert. He tied for the NFL lead with 144 tackles and made the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement.
But with new leadership in the front office and coming off an 0-16 season, it’s more than likely there will be an opportunity for Hungalu to earn a spot on the depth chart in Cleveland.
Hungalu finished his career at Oregon State with 223 total tackles, four fumble recoveries, four interceptions, and 2.5 sacks. He also was the Beavers’ defensive captain his senior season.
Hungalu — the one-time BIIF defensive player of the year — had a career day against California, notching a 20-tackle game. It was the most in a single game in the Pac-12 last season and fourth most in Oregon State history.
After his senior season, Hungalu was named an All-Pac 12 honorable mention by the conference’s coaches and was an All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team pick by The Associated Press last season. He majored in sociology.
Hungalu wasn’t the only Pac-12 defensive standout that had to wait until after the draft to find a team. Maui native Hercules Mata’afa — a consensus all-American and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year — signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent.
A tweener defensive tackle in college at 6-foot-2, 254 pounds, Mata’afa recorded 45 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and ranked in the top-five nationally with 22.5 tackles for a loss during his senior season. He is expected to move to linebacker.
