Ex-Cal Star Alualu Plans To Build Church

Former Cal standout Tyson Alualu, who was a first-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, agreed to a contract that ended his holdout, and he had his first practice with the Jaguars on Tuesday.

Alualu agreed to a five-year contract worth a total of $28 million, about $17.5 million of which is guaranteed.   He took an overnight flight from his home in Honolulu on Monday and arrived in Jacksonville Tuesday morning.  He practiced with the team Tuesday night after missing five days of practice, which included seven workouts.

The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville reported that Alualu, who is deeply religious, plans to finance the building of a new church for his father's congregation, about a minute’s walk from where Alualu grew up in a Honolulu housing project.

“I’m going to use it to help my family, my parents and also the community,” Alualu told the Florida Times-Union.   “Building a church, which is important for me, so that others can have the opportunity to worship God.”

Alualu was the 10th overall selection in this year's draft, and he will be given a chance to be a starting defensive tackle as a rookie.

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