The Polynesian community is rich in culture. Embracing life and being spiritually aware of their surroundings. Throughout their long-standing traditions that date back centuries, there is a modern-day tradition that has grown fondly in their hearts.
Football.
Less than an hour from Waikiki on the other side of the Koolau Mountains, along with the use of your Waze app, you would come across something unique. The home of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame located in Laie, near the north shore of Oahu.
“It’s always been a dream for a kid out of Laie to play football in high school, then continue it on into college and hopefully the NFL,” San Diego State offensive lineman Alama Uluave said. “Where I come from in the small town of Laie, Hawaii. Everybody plays football.”
Growing up, Uluave’s role model was his brother Semsis. A first team all-state offensive lineman, he forged on to graduate and play four years of college football at Cal. The template was prepared for the path Uluave would take, following the path of his brother and the passion of the people living in Laie.
Football.
Uluave is now looking to take his football career one step further than his brother. His illustrious career with the Aztecs led him to the College Gridiron Showcase earlier this year. The event allowed Uluave to do exactly what’s in the events description – Showcase his skills.
“I was fortunate to speak with a bunch of scouts,” Uluave said. Speaking with roughly 17-20 teams, it was a fair assessment he made a positive impression during his time in Fort Worth, Texas.
The first-team All-Mountain center began playing special teams as a true freshman for San Diego State before starting the last 34 straight games over the last three seasons for the Aztecs. Uluave was also named to the prestigious Rimington Trophy Watch List prior to his final season at San Diego State. The award is given to the nation’s top center.
With the NFL Combine approaching next week (March 2nd), many other NFL Draft prospects like Uluave will rely heavily on their Pro Day. If you don’t think these are important, get a hold of a certified NFL agent trying to secure his players the right to attend one via the approval of just one NFL scout.
You might find it easier to have lunch with the Pope.
Uluave lacks the prerequisite measurements standing at 6-foot-2, 305 pounds. However, he allowed only one sack last season over the course of 367 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He graded out at 78.5 in pass blocking.
“I’m confident I can open some eyes during my Pro Day,” Uluave stated. “My baseline numbers are above most of the averages at the NFL Combine the last couple of years.”
Squarely built, Uluave plays with good balance and knee bend. He possesses the foot quickness to pull as well as get upfield quickly. His low center of gravity affords him good anchor strength. Using his hips to dig in and fortify his position.
Currently, he is working on getting his change of direction smoother. Evening out the hiccups to eliminate wasted steps. Getting a better explosion off his starts is another area of his game he is working on to make an impact with NFL personnel.
A fascinating quote from Uluave that I never heard and may never hear again from an offensive lineman, “I can make some excited offensive play as an offensive lineman Uluave said. In reference to his athleticism and abilities to make plays at center.
When scouts sniff around San Diego State, they’re going to hear how Uluave helped mold a bunch of redshirt freshmen. An offensive line unit with three first year starters, it was Uluave that made it a point to galvanize them into a cohesive close-knit group.
“I was fortunate enough to be voted team captain this year,” Uluave said. “So, I took it upon myself to get that room right and just continue our culture and set the standard. Make sure they can uphold those standards after I’m not there.”
Uluave preserving culture, the Polynesian way of living.
Surely, he’ll want to continue this cultural tradition of following the like of Mosi Tatupu (a personal favorite), Troy Polamalu, and Haloti Ngata, to name a few. Great Polynesian football players were inducted into the Polynesian Hall of Fame after great NFL careers.
BY BO MARCHIONTE
It remains the staple audio alternative for NFL personnel to know potential prospects. Go-one-on-one with San Diego State standout Alama Uluave on the College2Pro Players Platform Show. It is the show to know before they go pro, because College2Pro.com has been featuring NFL Draft Prospects for over a decade. Professional scouting (CFL), working in conjunction with collegiate all-star games (Texas vs. The Nation, College Gridiron Showcase), no other platform combined with experience allows future NFL stars to reveal their identity to the world-wide listening audience. In depth analysis, allows listeners that includes NFL Scouts and GMs to know the prospect on a personal level rather than just knowing their jersey number. Join host Bo Marchionte and special guest Alama Uluave on the C2P podcast powered by football lovers everywhere.
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ALAMA ULUAVE | OL | SAN DIEGO STATE - Athletic, First Team All-Mountian West l