Rams Take Illini Tight End Hoomanawanui

One of the many fifth round selections for the Rams has been chosen, as the Rams selected MIchael Hoomanawanui in the 5th round (their first selection). Hoom' (which I'm going to call because his last name is a monster to type) is a Tight End from Illinois.
Here is what rivals had to say about him:

A thickly built tight end who showcases good bend and flexibility off the snap, Hoomanawanui gets into his routes quickly but isn't explosive downfield. He isn't going to threaten the seam vertically and has a tendency to drift in and out of his routes.

Seems like he is a good blocker and possesses good strength in that regard, and they have high marks for his awareness in the red zone. The Rams needed a tight end, but to be honest, I don't think this is the type of player that would have best suited. Daniel Fells still seems like the go to guy for passing, but Hoom' probably will best be suited as the second tight end, if he meets the Rams expectations, which by all purposes he should.

"Honestly, it's a great feeling," said Hoomanawanui, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound Bloomington, Ill., native.

He missed four games last season with an ankle injury and caught only 10 passes for 114 yards. His junior season was far more productive with 25 receptions for 312 yards and two touchdowns.

"It was in the back of my head," he said of his senior season. "Coaches told me I was going to be all right. Family and friends kept pushing me."

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Hoomanawanui Builds on Favorable Impression

It was like American Idol for Illini football players Wednesday.

A big stage, a live crowd including friends and family and a panel of judges taking notes.

It was "Pro Day," where Illini senior football players were weighed, measured, tested and, in some cases interviewed, by a big group of NFL scouts and personnel people.

In some cases, players have been known to make lots of money at these showcases by posting fast running times, demonstrating surprising strength during bench press drills or by flashing unexpected talent in position drills.

Others have lost money, dropping on the draft charts because their "measureables" did not match preconceived notions.

For tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, it was a chance to build on a favorable impression he'd already made at the Combine.

Hoomanawanui bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times at the Combine, third best among tight end prospects. He did not run, however, due to a pulled quad muscle he sustained at the Senior Bowl.

On Wednesday, Hoomanawanui, who weighed in at 263 pounds, ran the 40 in 4.83 seconds and showed well in pass-catching drills.

"Today was good," he said. "There are a lot of guys who wish they were doing what we are. I felt good and I thought I did a good job."

Today he holds a private workout for the Cleveland Browns. Upcoming are workouts for the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills.

So where does he think he stands in the big-picture draft?

"It gets more confusing as you go," he said. "I've talked to my agent and I want to know. My mom wants to know. My dad wants to know.

"All of it is part of the experience and I'm going to take it and enjoy it. If I get drafted, I get drafted. If I go free agent, I go free agent. All I want is a shot. Put me on a team. I don't care where it is, I'll work my way in."

Hoomanawanui said he has talked with former Illini players like Decatur's Brit Miller and J Leman, who were undrafted free agents, and they told him to hang in there, stay on his toes and do his best. The rest will take care of itself.

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Hoomanawanui Puts His Heritage, Skills on Display for Illini

Short sleeves are enough to cover most of the elaborate tattoos that adorn Michael Hoomanawanui's upper arms. And a ponytail can disguise his voluminous hair.

But when the Illinois tight end walks down student-populated Green Street or strolls campus wearing his colorful kikepa, nothing can dissuade passers-by from casting surprised looks.

A colorful skirt on a man's 6-foot-5, 270-pound frame tends to turn heads.

"People don't say anything," he said. "But I see them looking out of the corner of my eye.''

It's part of Hoomanawanui's message.

The long hair, tattoos and kikepa are the senior's way of honoring his Hawaiian culture, which he has studied through books and hours of stories ingested during annual visits with relatives on the islands.

Hoomanawanui (pronounced huh-oh-muh-NOW-ah-noo-ee) grew up in Bloomington, Ill., but developed a bond with family history after his parents were divorced and he lived with his father, Isy, who was born in Hawaii.

"I always realized I was different," he said. "But as I grew older, I realized I was special and used it to my advantage to learn about the culture and about my family, putting everything in perspective.

"I come from a culture of putting others before myself. That has played into my role at Illinois, starting slow and then getting a couple of passes here and there, but not fretting. Being patient.''

Patient: the meaning of the family name.

That attribute helped as Hoomanawanui, known to his teammates more simply as "Uh-oh,'' slowly blended into the Illinois offense. He started with no catches as a freshman and progressed to five as a sophomore.

Last year, he blossomed with 25 receptions and is expected to be a key target for quarterback Juice Williams this season. He has four catches for 53 yards in two games.

The Mackey Award candidate also is one of the most sure-handed Illini receivers, making him a prime target near the goal line. He is projected by several NFL draft websites as a mid-round pick in 2010.

"He's always been a great catcher, but now he understands the game so much better,'' coach Ron Zook said. "He's big and strong, he's a leader and he's getting better as a blocker. He has soft hands, and he was a basketball player and knows how to position his body.''

Hoomanwanui's body has made statements on and off the field. His confidence in wearing the kikepa rubbed off on teammates Arrelious Benn and Chris James, who each have one but have not been seen wearing them in public.

In four years at Illinois, he has added six tattoos — all incorporating family or cultural elements. His right arm includes a representation of his sister, her favorite Hawaiian flowers and a "band of strength.''

He has a tattoo of the family Aumakua, or protector, which is a shark. The other arm includes tribal representations. And he has the Hawaiian islands across his back.

"A lot of people get tattoos that don't really have a meaning; it just looks cool,'' he said. "Every one of mine has a special meaning, and they all come back to family and culture.''

The same goes for his shark-tooth necklace, which was carved by a family friend with symbols that represent energy. And there is the hair. Hoomanawanui arrived at Illinois with a short-cropped look but has let his hair flourish, Troy Polamalu style.

"You see a lot of Polynesian players who do that in the NFL or college,'' he said. "It's loyalty to the program and to my family. Plus it stands out a little more, so maybe Juice will see my hair and know who I am."

Hoomanawanui hopes to introduce himself to a few more opposing defenders in coming weeks, starting with Saturday's game at Ohio State. At 270 pounds, he is a load for any defensive back.

Illinois nickel back Dere Hicks has occasional encounters with his tight end in practice and gives up nearly 100 pounds.

"He's a good athlete for a tight end,'' Hicks said. "He can block, he can catch and he has exceptional speed for a guy his size."

Hoomanawanui has scored only four touchdowns in his career. But this week he was reminded that the three times he scored the Illini's first touchdown in a game, the team won.

That includes their trip to Ohio State in 2007. He planned to remind offensive coordinator Mike Schultz of that fact this week.

"I've got to let Schultz know that,'' he said. "I've got that on my to-do list.''

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Michael Hoomanawanui; Remember This Name!

You Can't Say it, but he Catches Pretty Good:

It seems that Illinois enters 2009 as one of the chosen offensive units, and because I'm on board with the Zooker I'll go ahead and tell you to take a shot on Michael Hoomanawanui.

He can move, and it's my hope that the improved depth among Illinois' receivers will mean more opportunities for Michael H.

Michael Hoomanawanui is a senior now, and he has taken responsibility for helping ensure a great year for Illinois.

Illinois is lining up with two tight ends a lot more this summer than last year. Senior Michael Hoomanawanui is the starter, but Hubie Graham and Zach Becker are both on the field for a lot of snaps.

Michael Hoomanawanui is also one of the league's more underrated players. Also, an All-American candidate. Trust me, by the end of the season you'll know who he is. His name is hard to say, but you'll know you seen or heard it before.