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By Dane Brugler Feb 21, 2019
Out of sight, out of mind.
Unfortunately for Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai, that has been the theme of his football career the last six months.
Hawaii traveled to Colorado State to kick off the 2018 college football season on Aug. 25 (“week zero”), a full week before most season openers. Several NFL scouts were scheduled to attend. However, Tavai was suspended for the opener due to an incident over the summer (more on that later).
Tavai played in the next eight games – and played very well, leading the team with 82 tackles. But he suffered a right shoulder injury in mid-October that required surgery. His rehab and healing process ended his season and kept him from participating in the Senior Bowl.
The shoulder injury, which was a “grade 3” sprain of the AC joint, is close to healed, but it will also sideline Tavai for the scouting combine. He is expected to work out pre-draft at a pro day later this spring.
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The shoulder is feeling great,” Tavai told The Athletic. “I have full range of motion back, I just need to strengthen it. I’m doing some running, but no contact yet. So far, so good.”
Tavai was raised in Southern California in a family of athletes. Several of his brothers played college football, including his older brother, J.R., who was a two-year starting linebacker at USC and spent time with the Tennessee Titans. Growing up, Jahlani played any sport he could, including baseball, volleyball and track. But he credits his experience playing rugby for his development on the football field.
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It helped me with open field tackles and how to target the hip,” Tavai said. “As a rugby player, you have to be explosive, not only as a tackler, but also carrying the ball. My tackling ability really increased the last four years.”
In 20 games the last two years, Tavai was one of the most productive tacklers in college football, averaging 10.3 tackles per game. He is a physical, knockback player at the point of attack, using his length to wrap and finish.
A nose guard in high school, Tavai made the transition to linebacker at Hawaii and learned under six defensive coordinators, which was a blessing and a curse. His ability to adapt and play different roles shows on tape. Tavai was the starting Mike linebacker and patrolled the middle of the field but was just as likely to rush off the edge or drop in coverage.
Tavai won’t be working out in Indianapolis, but the combine interviews will be an important step, especially after he was arrested last summer following his role in a bar fight. He was defending his group of friends against a drunken individual, who sucker punched a teammate and his teammate’s fiancée.
Tavai’s actions are defendable, but NFL teams will need to be convinced that it won’t happen again.
Although he isn’t the same type of athlete as Leighton Vander Esch, Tavai fits a similar mold at the next level as a hybrid linebacker capable of playing the run, blitzing and covering the seam. He needs to
mature his anticipation, but he has true three-down ability with inside-outside versatility.
Tavai seems to be flying under the radar publicly, but not with NFL scouts. His tape and traits say he is a top-100 draft pick and could be drafted as early as the second round.
Other members of the All-Underrated Team:
Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion
Growing up overseas and not playing football until his junior year in high school, Fulgham is still figuring things out at receiver, but he showed considerable improvement as a senior and qualifies as an ascending player. Although he needs time to fine-tune the details of the position, Fulgham’s basketball athleticism is evident with his body control, adjustment skills and strong hands.
Stanley Morgan, WR, Nebraska
Morgan won’t be in the discussion for the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine, but he makes up for his lack of top-end speed with clean routes and soft hands. He doesn’t allow defenders to get him off-schedule and competes with terrific play strength to win in contested situations. Morgan’s coaches also say he was the emotional leader of the offense.
Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego State
A surprise early declaration, I didn’t know much about Warring going in (only 31 catches in 2018), but I was pleasantly surprised after watching his tape. As a blocker, he controls the point of attack and loves to finish. Warring isn’t an explosive receiver, which limits his YAC ability, but he shifts his weight well as a route runner and flashes strong hands to secure away from his frame. Warring is a true “Y” tight end and has NFL starting potential.
Trevon Wesco, TE, West Virginia
Although he was a blocker first in the Mountaineers’ offense, Wesco took advantage of his receiving opportunities, catching 26 of his 30 targets in 2018. He is a balanced battering ram as a blocker with the eagerness to eliminate defenders from the play. There is more to Wesco than what the box score says, both as a blocker and receiver.
Trey Pipkins, OT, Sioux Falls
The top-ranked Division II prospect on my board, Pipkins has a projectable skill set. In pass protection, he bends his knees and extends to meet rushers with his hands, staying face-up with his target. Pipkins relies on body position in the run game and flashes the nasty attitude to frustrate defenders. Despite a positive week at the East-West Shrine Game, Pipkins remains under the radar.
Trevon Tate, OT/G, Memphis
Switching between left and right tackle at Memphis, Tate has the snap quickness to quickly cut off defenders, using leverage to roll into and sustain blocks. He runs his feet to create movement in the run game and his natural body control allows him to stay balanced while in motion. If his character checks out, Tate has NFL starting potential at guard while adding depth as a reserve tackle with his experience outside.
Tyler Jones, OG, NC State
A four-year starter, Jones played left tackle for the Wolfpack, but he has the skill set to be a starting guard in the NFL. He shows the agile feet and flexible lower body bend to sink in his pass sets, anchoring vs. power. Jones needs to clean up his hand/punch placement, but he looks like the mid-round version of Isaiah Wynn.
L.J. Collier, EDGE, TCU
Although he might not be an ultra-flexible speed rusher, Collier stays balanced mid-rush to throw the kitchen sink at blockers. As a run defender, he has blossoming instincts with powerful hands and quick read/react skills. Collier’s tape shows a player who is connecting the dots at the right time and it wouldn’t be surprising if he is drafted in the top-60 picks.
Malik Carney, EDGE North Carolina
Carney, who served a four-game suspension in 2018 for a shoe-selling scandal, is a hybrid edge rusher who looks comfortable on his feet. As a rusher, he plays heavy-handed and stays off blocks, creating rush lanes for himself. Carney has the lower body and smooth hips to drop and handle space, projecting as stand-up linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
Malik Reed, EDGE, Nevada
One of the more puzzling snubs from the combine invite list, Reed brings energy off the edge, rushing with speed and closing burst. He has the productive resume to back up his flashy tape, finishing his senior season with 77 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. Listed at 6-2 and 235 pounds, Reed is a hybrid linebacker who will impress in an NFL training camp.
Ronheen Bingham, EDGE, Arkansas State
Although he is undersized (6-1, 243) for an edge rusher, Bingham has a quick first step to extend into blockers and convert speed to power. He also shows the flexible hips to sink, change directions and make plays in space, suggesting he could make the transition to linebacker. Although he won’t meet the size thresholds for several teams, Bingham, who led ASU with 18.5 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks in 2018, has the aggressive appetite as a pass rusher that makes him worth the gamble later in the draft.
Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
After spending his first three seasons as a backup and special teamer, Cashman had a breakout senior season with 104 tackles and 15.0 tackles for loss. His lack of ideal length and speed will be tougher to mask in the NFL, but his tape shows an impressive blend of football intelligence, toughness and finishing skills. In the right situation, Cashman will push for playing time in the NFL.
Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan
A light-footed athlete, Bunting has the balanced athleticism to run better routes than the receiver he is covering. He needs to get stronger and continue to fill out his frame, often spending too much time hung up on blocks. However, Bunting has the movement skills and developing instincts to be a mid-round steal.
Malik Gant, FS, Marshall
A former walk-on, Gant was the only FBS player in 2018 with at least 90 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, five passes defended and two interceptions. Flying around the field, he competes with Red Bull in his veins and looks to tune up targets, cutting receivers in half. Gant needs to become more disciplined and improve his awareness vs. the pass, but his play speed should make him a reliable special teamer while he competes for a role in the secondary.