The University of Hawaii, while not a year in and year out football powerhouse, is a very popular school that many great players flock to and play football at. Over the years Hawaii has sent more than 75 players into the National Football League and many of them have performed at a very high level. Here is a look at some of the interesting facts surrounding some of the many players that the University of Hawaii has contributed to the NFL.
-The University of Hawaii player that has gone on to score more touchdowns in the NFL than any other is wide receiver Golden Richards who accumulated 18 during his career.
-No former University of Hawaii football player has appeared in more NFL games than kicker Jason Elam.
-Jason Elam’s three NFL Pro Bowl appearances are more than any other former Hawaii football player, tied for second with two Pro Bowl appearances are Mark Tuinei and Jesse Sapolu.
-Jim Mills was 6′9″ tall when he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 9th round of the 1983 NFL Draft, he is the tallest University of Hawaii player ever taken in the draft. Jeff Snyder was the shortest when the Philadelphia Eagles selected the 5′6″ tall wide receiver in 1992.
-At 348 pounds, running back Reagan Mauia was the heaviest player drafted out of the University of Hawaii when the Miami Dolphins used their 6th round selection to take him in the 2007 NFL Draft.
-When the Denver Broncos selected wide receiver Ashley Lelie with the 19th pick of the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft, it was the highest any University of Hawaii player had ever been drafted.
Notable pro football players that played collegiately at the University of Hawaii include Jason Elam, Mark Tuinei, Kimo von Oelhoffen, Larry Cole, Jesse Sapolu, Kani Kauahi, Rich Miano, Mel Tom, Ron Hall, Jeris White, Niko Noga, Leo Goeas, Maa Tanuvasa, Golden Richards, Ashley Lelie, Dana McLemore, and June Jones.
Golden Richards would be among the first players that I remember from my UH days.
Whoa, Mel Tom? The one that played in the NFL? I don't recall him playing for UH and Wikipedia says he played for SJSU. June Jones? He played briefly but I think he mostly played behind Elroy Chong. He did well at Portland State which is why he was able to play at Atlanta because of his passing skills he learned from Mouse Davis.