Quotes from Reagan Mauia after the draft

Tombo (http://uhfootball.blogspot.com) sent me another awesome article about Reagan Mauia from the Lodi News-Sentinel.

About being drafted, Reagan said:
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet. It feels like I just won some kind of award and everyone keeps congratulating me. It’s just an incredible feeling. It probably won’t hit me until I go home and see it in the eyes of my parents.” (LNS)

Interesting note from LNS: Reagan was the first player from Lodi to be drafted since 1993!

Reagan didn’t expect to be drafted and was falling asleep after watching the draft coverage for 5 hours when his phone rang:
“I wasn’t going to answer. But I picked it up and it was the call I’d been waiting for.” (LNS)

When Dolphins coach Cam Cameron called to ask him if he was watching the draft, Reagan said:
“I told him yeah. I didn’t want to tell him I was going to sleep.” (LNS)

When Cameron told him to watch his name come across the screen and welcomed him to the Dolphins, Reagan said:
“My heart started beating faster when my name came across the TV. And I said ‘thank you.’ Ever since I’ve been on cloud nine. I’m on cloud ten right now.” (LNS)

About calling his parents in Stockton after he was drafted, Reagan said:
“Everyone was so excited I couldn’t get two words out. There were tears of joy. A lot of prayers went into this draft, this pick.” (LNS)

Giving Reagan high praise, JJ said:
“Of all the players I’ve ever coached, and that includes (Pro Bowl fullback) Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, Reagan is the most physical and best football player.” (LNS)

Reagan’s high school coach Jeff Tracy said about Reagan at Tokay High School:
“He was the most athletic big man we ever had. He was dominant. He weighed around 300 pounds and was running a 4.7 in the forty for us, and most running backs at Tokay since then don’t do that.” (LNS)

Tracy referred to how Reagan had a difficlt life when he was younger, saying:
“He’s persevered. He’s a survivor.” (LNS)

About how he won’t move to Miami anytime soon, Reagan said:
“I’m not ready to buy five acres just yet.” (LNS)

Reagan’s agent Max Hannemann was of course happy that Reagan was drafted, saying:
“It was a good day for Reagan. Not many fullbacks get drafted. I’m happy for him.” (LNS)

LNS Note: “Hanneman says he’ll try to get a threeor four-year deal for Mauia, and added sixth-round picks averaged about $80,000 in guaranteed money, or signing bonuses, last year. (The minimum salary for an NFL rookie in 2007 will be $285,000, but it’s not guaranteed money.)”

About how he was named after President Reagan, Mauia said:
“That’s the story my mom gave me. She told me about how Reagan was shot and how he survived. I’m a survivor. I’m just glad she didn’t name me Ronald. I can deal with Reagan. Not to say anything bad, I just don’t see myself as Ronald.” (LNS)

About how he’s related to Samson, Reagan said:
“His family mentioned we were family, but I’ve never really looked into it.” (LNS)

About all of the phone calls he’s been getting, Reagan said:
“I’ve been hearing from people that I haven’t heard from in years. I don’t even know some of them.” (LNS)

About how he’s much more popular on the UH campus than he was before the draft, Reagan said:
“I’ve experienced that being a football player, but it’s went up like four levels. People are stopping to shake my hand and congratulate me and some are honking when they drive by. I feel like people are tying to mug me. It feels good to have that kind of attention, but you have to be careful.” (LNS)

About the warm welcome he’s been getting from Dolphin fans on blog sites, Reagan said:
“It feels good to be welcome.” (LNS)

Happy that the draft is behind him, Reagan said:
“I’m just glad it’s all over.” (LNS)

About the measurement process that players go through, Reagan said:
“You’re standing there half naked with all these people checking you out.” (LNS)

Random article notes

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6767102

This article directly addresses something I’ve talked about–the high school ratings of players drafted by the NFL. It only looks at the top 100 players drafted, so it doesn’t show how most of the “can’t miss” 5- and 4-star recruits never made it to the NFL. However, the info here is still pretty cool.

Most players were rated pretty high in high school, but I noted that Samson was one of UH’s higher rated recruits his year and he only had 2-stars. Ikaika had no stars of course because he was a walk-on basketball player.

http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/93458.html

Chris Liwienski, Joe Toledo, Dan Stevenson and rookies Samson Satele and Drew Mormino are competing for the guard spots, but the Dolphins will consider moving center Rex Hadnot back to guard if Satele excels at center. Mueller said he hasn’t considered re-signing Jeno James because the team wants to get younger at guard.

Very interesting that Miami is letting one of their guards go to make room for a younger player (Samson?). Also interesting that they think highly enough of Samson that they are considering moving their starting center to guard and having Samson start for them at center as a rookie.

Quotes from the Miami papers over the past 3 days

Cool entry in the Sun-Sentinel blog on the Dolphins about Mauia:

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2007/05/draft_pick_runs.html

About his weight loss (I think this quote has been posted before), Mauia said:
“I played nose guard before I went to fullback. I was big back then, about 351 [pounds]. I ended up converting to fullback and played last year at 290, 300. I recently decided to make the move to lose more weight so I could be more effective on the next level.” (SFSS)

About the 80 pounds that he lost, Mauia said:
“It feels like I lost a midget.” (SFSS, MH)

About how he is releated to Samson, Mauia said:
“Our grandmothers are related somehow. His dad was telling me that. I was just like, ‘OK.’ ” (MH)

Interesting note in the MH about Miami’s 4th round pick 6’4″ 334-pound NT Paul Soliai:
Through a Dolphins representative, Soliai said Sunday he’s pals with third-round pick Samson Satele, worked out with Satele before the draft and shared the same agent. That almost counts as family in modern sports.” (MH)

Looking forward to running the ball up the middle, Mauia said:
“The head coach’s favorite play was `belly,’ so we run the belly here. I have it down to a tee. We’ll be running some bellies when I come there.” (MH)

Praising Mauia, Dolphins GM Randy Mueller said:
“He’s a nifty big kid that we think brings some quality as a blocker and as a pass catcher.” (MH)

About getting Samson, Mauia, and Tala Esera, Mueller said:
“That was not a part of the plan, but at the same time we found out that Hawaii does produce some good players and they like playing. June Jones has done a great job coaching them up over there. There’s also a coach on the offensive side [ Wes Suan] that actually coached me in college, so we had a pretty good connection on what kind of kids these guys were.

Who knows? Maybe strength in numbers they’ll feed off each other. It’s a good group and they’re close. They’re very close. As you know, the culture is one of passion and caring. They bring some of that. Those are good team building identity things that we want with our team.” (MH)

About the Hawaii guys drafted by Miama, SFSS reporter Alex Marvez said:
Mueller said the Dolphins were seeking players with a “specific skill set” in the draft. Translated: The Dolphins want players they believe have particular traits best-suited for the systems the team plans to run. The Dolphins are seeking lighter, more athletic guards and want to add more aggressiveness to the line as a whole. The 6-foot-2, 302-pounds Satele fits the bill on both accounts. At 272 pounds, Mauia has the size to become a devastating blocker in the same fashion as Lorenzo Neal, who played under Cameron the past four seasons in San Diego.” (SFSS)

Asked if the rookie OL can be expected to contribute much this season, Marvez said:
“I would not be surprised to see second-round pick Samson Satele (pictured) of Hawaii receive snaps as the starting left guard during this weekend’s minicamp. The Dolphins have juggled their line by shifting Vernon Carey to left tackle and moving L.J. Shelton from right guard to replace him at right tackle. Dolphins coach Cam Cameron said Chris Liwienski and Joe Toledo are expected to split snaps at right guard but added that the plan for how the linemen will be used at the minicamp wasn’t finalized.

Eastern Michigan’s Drew Mormino (sixth round) could see action as a backup center behind Rex Hadnot. The Dolphins also have agreed to terms with several college free agent linemen who could compete for roster or practice squad spots, including Hawaii guard Tala Esera, Arkansas guard Stephen Parker and University of Alabama-Birmingham tackle Julius Wilson.

The Dolphins want all of their linemen to have the versatility to play at least two positions, so expect Satele and Mormino to work at both guard and center.” (SFSS)

Quotes from 4/30/07, more NFL draft quotes

About having the 7th most (tied with USC, Miami, LSU, Auburn, Florida State, and Penn State) players drafted (with another 5 getting free-agent contracts), Nate Ilaoa said:
“I am not surprised, not with the season and the type of team we had. It shows the kind of actual talent we have. For us to tie with USC (in picks) means we’re not a fluke, or a gimmick offense, or whatever they like to call it. We have something very special here and (this draft) confirmed it.”(HSB)

Happy that Philly drafted him, Ilaoa (who went to high school in Virginia) said:
“I’m happy and feel very fortunate that it was Philadelphia. I was at home, watching it on ESPN, and waiting for it to happen.” (HSB)

Mel Purcell, who watched the draft while eating breakfast with his family at Ana Miller’s, said:
“I feel good about them, the coach was nice and they run a 4-3. We haven’t talked about money. I’m going up there to play football. But I heard it’s cold, so I will have to go out and buy some warm clothes. It’s amazing that we had five drafted. I waited for the others to be picked and I’m happy to hear about all the free agents. I’m so happy for everyone.” (HSB)

About what he was thinking when they went out to breakfast, Purcell said:
“If we get the call, we get the call.” (HA)

About how he talked with all the NFL scouts about Purcell, JJ 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.’ ” (HA)

Surprised that Cleveland drafted him, since Miami and New England has shown the most interest, Purcell said:
“They never spoke to me (before the draft).” (HA)

Mauia was shocked to be drafted, as he planned to slep through the draft, and said:
“I started getting all of these calls, with people telling me I got drafted. I thought I was dreaming.” (HA)

About joining UH as a walk-on in August 2005, Mauia said:
“I’m not a gambling man, but I wanted a good future for my son. (Playing football) is one of the best ways I knew how.” (HA)

About why he asked Mauia to go from nose tackle to RB on the scout team, JJ said:
“I saw his balance and quick feet for a guy his size, and I thought he could be a pretty good running back.” (HA)

About how he was happy to move to RB, Mauia said:
“When I was growing up and playing pickup (football), I always wanted the ball. 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.” (HA)

Happy that Reagan Mauia was drafted by Miami, JJ said:
“Mauia is a very good football player. And I think Miami is the perfect place for him.” (HSB)

“It’s going to be so much fun to watch him learn to play football in the National Football League. He’ll be something else.” (HA)

About having 5 players drafted, JJ said:
“It’s pretty exciting for all our players to get this opportunity after all the hard work they’ve put in. I don’t know if the number is amazing, because when you have had the success we’ve had, the number of kids we’ve had make it in the NFL the last few years, people are going to take notice.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “During Jones’ eight seasons at UH, 16 Warriors have been drafted and, counting yesterday, another 25 have signed as free agents. Hawaii’s previous draft record was three, set in 1985 and matched in 2003.”

About how only Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio State, and Florida had more players drafted than Hawaii, JJ said:
“That’s amazing.” (HA)

About having 2 RBs drafted this year, JJ laughed and said:
“Who knew we were a running back school?” (HA)

About the potential for Warrior vs. Warrior matchups every NFL weekend, Mel Purcell said:
“I’d love to see that happen. The number of our guys just keeps growing every year, as our program keeps building every year.” (HSB)

About the draft, Nate Ilaoa said:
“All it takes is one team to like you. I’m not surprised about Reagan. I knew he was on the board for Miami. They saw him at Pro Day and we knew they liked what they saw.” (HSB)

“I was sitting there, waking everybody up with the TV blasting.” (HA)

About how Pitsburgh called him during the 6th round saying that they would take him in the 7th round, but took a WR instead, Nate said:
“I was getting worried. Then Philadelphia called. They wanted to put coach (Andy) Reid on the phone. That’s when I knew.” (HA)

About wearing an eagles beanie yesterday afternoon, Nate said:
“We have all kinds of gear to match our shoes and outfits. I’ve never worn this,” said Ilaoa, pointing to the beanie. “I guess it was sitting there for three years waiting for this day.” (HA)

About choosing to sign with Miami as a free agent, Tala Esera said:
“I’m looking forward to going up with Sam and Reagan. I had 11-12 teams contacting me yesterday after the draft. It was kind of crazy and I ended up with the team I wanted to go to. They’re rebuilding down there and hopefully we’ll have a chance to build something special.” (HSB)

Tala Esera’s agent Max Hanneman said about teams wooing Tala:
“It was crazy. 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.” (HA)

HA Note: “Hannemann said Esera insisted on accepting the Miami offer.”

About choosing to sign with the Jets, who told Leonard Peters they would not draft a safety if he would sign with them, 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.” (HA)

About how the Jets only had 4 draft picks this year, Peters’ agent Joe Palumbo said:
“They said (Peters) was really their fifth draft pick.” (HA)

HA Notes: Esera, Uperesa, and Patton signed 3-year contracts, but like almost all NFL contracts only their signing bonuses are guaranteed.

About getting a free agent contract with Oakland, Kenny Patton (who had an awesome workout during UH’s pro day) said:
“It’s all fun after this. When I hurt my collarbone, I thought I was done. I’m going to do my best.” (HA)

About how having so many players drafted helps their recruiting, Rich Miano (6th round pick in 1985) said:
“Every young person dreams of playing in the NFL, whether it is realistic or not, and they look at your school to see how many you put there. And this (year’s draft) helps us out in so many ways.” (HA)

Frustrated when the NFL would draft so few of his UH players, Dick Tomey said in the 1980s that NFL scouts:
“… just don’t do their homework.” An “indictment of the scouts in pro football.” (HA)

Note: In the Tomey glory years, UH would get just 1 or 2 players drafted each year, sometimes none, when the draft was 12 rounds. Now, the draft is just 7 rounds and UH gets so many more people…having former NFL coaches on the staff with all of their NFL contacts sure seems to help.

Ferd summarized things nicely at the end of his HA article:
“While this draft was foremost a tribute to the players, it is also a sign the coaches are doing a lot right. Not only in coaching fundamentals but in evaluating and developing talent. While Nate Ilaoa was heavily recruited, Purcell and Satele were only lightly so, Mauia hardly at all and Alama-Francis was a walk-on from basketball. Years later, however, they have put quite the exclamation point on the UH football program.” (HA)