By J.R. DE GROOTE
West Hawaii Today
KAILUA-KONA — Manase Hungalu is waiting for the call that will change his life.
Hungalu — a former Kealakehe and Oregon State standout — should know by Saturday night where his next stop is, whether it’s as a draft pick of one of the 32 NFL teams, or as a post-draft free agent.
Coming off a prolific career as a linebacker with the Beavers, Hungalu has a chance to become just the fourth player with Big Island ties selected in the draft.
If reports are to be believed — which is never a certainty around draft time — it has been the Seattle Seahawks that have expressed the most interest in Hungalu. The team reportedly worked him out earlier this month, igniting the thought that he could help Seattle build some youthful depth behind perennial All-Pro Bobby Wagner.
But there’s little doubt when that phone rings, Hungalu will be happy to hear from whichever NFL team is on the other side.
Ambitions as a ‘Rider
Hungalu came up with the Waveriders, migrating from a dominant 3-technique on the defensive line to linebacker during his senior campaign. It was a move that would eventually help him land the BIIF defensive player of the year.
“On the line, he had a quick get-off, was very instinctive and was a real disruptive force for us. No high school guard could block him,” recalled Sam Papalii, the head coach at Kealakehe during Hungalu’s senior season. “Manase expressed his desire to play linebacker before his senior year, and the move made sense because he had all the ability to succeed. He was able to utilize his instincts and high football IQ to make plays and really became a student of the game.”
Not only did Hungalu excel in his new role, garnering attention as a next-level prospect while recording 86 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and two blocked field goals, but Kealakehe also won its third consecutive title — also its last.
“He was very competitive. He hated to lose,” Papalii said. “His ability to make plays in space and physicality caught the attention of coaches at Oregon State. At the college level — once he caught up to the speed of the game and gained experience — those attributes made him an impact player for them.”
Dam good Beaver
Hungalu arrived in Corvallis in 2013, and Oregon State had its struggles, amassing a 19-42 record during his career. But that didn’t stop him from experiencing major personal progression during his time as a Beaver.
After redshirting as a freshman, Hungalu transformed from a scout team standout and part-time contributor his first two seasons, to a senior captain for the Beavers, leading the defense from his inside linebacker spot.
Hungalu had 83 tackles as a junior, following that up with 97 tackles — six for a loss — and two interceptions as a senior, returning one for a touchdown.
He had a career day against California in November, notching a 20-tackle game. It was the most in a single game in the Pac-12 last 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.
Landing spot
With the first three rounds in the books, Hungalu’s hopes of being a draft pick hinge on Day 3 on Saturday, which features rounds 4-7. If he doesn’t hear his name called, it’s more than likely the former Waverider will get a free agent deal.
Draft time is always strange. There’s plenty of misinformation being disseminated, and a player could ultimately end up with a team they never expected.
Hungalu wasn’t invited to the combine, but showed off his athleticism during his pro day, running a 4.69 40-yard dash, putting up 21 reps on the bench and notching a 32.5 inch vertical jump.
“(NFL scouts) know I can play football. They know I’m a great football player, sideline to sideline,” Hungalu said in an interview on the Bald Faced Truth radio show in Portland. “They wanted to see speed. They wanted a 40-yard dash in an exceptional time.”
What could make Hungalu special is the chip he carries on his shoulder, which shows in the way he plays.
“I’ve been an underdog since high school. I only had one college recruit me, Oregon State… I’m here now,” “I finished Oregon State with a great career… I’m just looking for an opportunity to show what I can do.”
Big Island, small crowd
Hungalu has an opportunity to join a select group of players with Big Island ties to play in the NFL.
Hawaii Prep grad and Super Bowl XLVIII champion Max Unger leads the way, being selected in the second round of the 2009 draft by the Seattle Seahawks after a college career at Oregon. He currently anchors the Saints offensive line.
Others include the late Daniel Te’o-Nesheim — another Ka Makani alum — who was taken in the third round by the Eagles in 2010, and Kealakehe’s Jesse Mahelona, who was picked with the 169th overall pick in 2006. Mahelona passed in 2009 in an auto accident.
Former Kamehameha and University of Hawaii standout Mana Silva went undrafted, but saw time on the field with the Cowboys and Bills from 2011-12.
Current free agent DT/FB Tani Tupou — who has spent time with the Seahawks and Falcons — never played a snap for the Waveriders, but graduated from the West Hawaii school in 2011.
Matt Blair — a linebacker in the ’70s and ‘80s with Minnesota — and Trevor Hutton — who played in four games with the Colts at guard in 2004 — were born in Hilo, but played prep ball out of state.
Others to keep an eye on
Hercules Mata’afa, LB: The Lahaina native was one of the smallest defensive tackles in college football last season, but also one of the most productive with Washington State. At 6-foot-2, 254 pounds, Mata’afa recorded 45 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and ranking in the top five nationally with 22.5 tackles for loss. He was a consensus All-American, Polynesian Player of the Year, and first-team All-Pac 12.
Interesting tidbits from his NFL.com scouting report mention that he is known as the toughest guy in the locker room and has a zombie-like motor. He is projected to hear his named called around the fifth or sixth round.
Trayvon Henderson, DB: The consensus opinion is that Henderson will become the University of Hawaii’s first drafted player since 2015, when Joey Iosefa was selected in the seventh round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Sacramento-native impressed at the Senior Bowl and put up impressive numbers at Hawaii’s pro day, including a 4.54 40-yard dash. Henderson notched 237 tackles, 18 tackles for losses, nine interceptions, 22 pass breakups, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, two touchdown returns and one blocked kick in over 49 career games with the Rainbow Warriors. He’s projected to go in the sixth or seventh round.
Dejon Allen, OL: Undersized but athletic, Allen is another UH hopeful. He played his first two seasons at guard with the Rainbow Warriors and the last two years at left tackle. During his career with the ‘Bows, he was in the opening lineup in 49 of 50 games, including a stretch of 42 consecutive starts.
Other UH prospects that are possible free agent pickups are: running back Diocemy Saint Juste, defensive end Meffy Koloamatangi and tight end Metuisela Unga.
