Lauvao Ready For Challenges @ Camp

Browns rookie offensive lineman Shawn Lauvao is hardly overwhelmed by his new surroundings. Actually, he's conquering them with tremendous poise.

Lauvao is not baffled by an unfamiliar, complex playbook.

He's not having problems holding his own against veteran players.

He's not even fazed about moving from Arizona to Northeast Ohio. (Sure, it hasn't snowed since his arrival, but you get the point.)

Lauvao is confident, intelligent and mature. And there's a reason he displays those attributes.

After graduating from Farrington High School in his hometown of Honolulu in 2005, Lauvao had to grow up fast.

'I graduated kind of early,'' Lauvao said. ''In Hawaii, it's a lot more different. They'll start kids at 4. By the time I got to college, I was 17.

''As soon as I went to college, I was on my own. My parents live in Hawaii. My dad got real sick and then from there, they went back to Samoa, so I barely see my parents.''

But before Lauvao's departure, his parents, Sisifo S. Lauvao Jr. and Faumuiana Lee Lauvao, prepared him well for the road ahead. He earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on education and sociology. He's also close to earning a master's degree in curriculum and instruction.

''My parents, they're hard-working people,'' Lauvao said. ''At a young age, I had to leave them. But fortunately because I've gotten drafted, I've been able to kind of link up again with them, so it's been really good.''

Lauvao has not only adjusted well in everyday life, but he's also done it on the football field. During training camp Monday, he played right guard with the first-team offense for the second consecutive day.

''I think Shawn's been doing a really good job,'' Browns Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas said. ''It's hard for any rookie to be thrown into the fire, getting reps with the ones against the one defense, but he's a really smart kid. He's showing he can pick up the offense very quickly. He's got really nice feet, and he's got a willingness to learn and work hard. I think he's going to be very successful.''

The Browns drafted Lauvao, 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, in the third round (92nd overall) of this year's draft. He finished his career at Arizona State University with 33 consecutive starts, including 17 at left guard, 12 at left tackle and four at right tackle.

With the Browns, Lauvao's primary position has been guard, but he has also served as a backup center despite his limited experience snapping a football.

''He'll work some at guard, some at center, both sides,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said. ''He's doing a good job with what we're asking him to do right now.

''If he can build in that versatility where he can play center and guard, that improves his chances of going to the game that much more each week because one guy can play really three spots. He can play center and both guards.''

Lauvao said there have not been any discussions with his new coaches about him trying tackle. Instead, veteran Floyd Womack has been playing first-string right tackle the past two days while another potential starter, Tony Pashos, had been sidelined with an illness but returned for the second practice Monday. Womack and Lauvao have been expected to compete at right guard for some time.

''It's been a tremendous opportunity,'' Lauvao said. ''Coach is really making it a point that he wants me to learn as much as possible and just come in and compete.''

It won't be easy for Lauvao to surpass a veteran for a starting job during training camp, but he eagerly accepted the challenge.

''These are guys who have been doing it for a while,'' he said. '' . . . These are all guys who know what they're doing. From there, it just elevates the competition.

''I'm gonna be my own worst critic. I want to play as best as possible. I want to come in and compete. . . . I want to get better. You know what I mean? I'm not afraid to get dirty. I'm not afraid to work.''

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Polamalu Paving The Way For Samoans

After years of nothing but terrorizing the Cleveland Browns, Troy Polamalu is inadvertently helping to change the landscape of the Cleveland Browns. Known for his hard-hitting plays and physical toughness, Browns' management has been recently scouting and looking to the Pacific Islands recently in a quest to find players of his same caliber.

In the 2009 NFL Draft, Rey Maualuga of Samoan descent, was high on the list of the Cleveland Browns fans in the days preceding the event. Instead passing on Rey Maualuga, who later went to the Cincinnatti Bengals, and selecting David Veikune 52nd overall out of Hawaii, before then picking up Kaluka Maiava 104th out of USC.

Is it sheer coincidence? Or is there something in the water surrounding those islands?

"Polynesians, they're pretty strong, very powerful, physical people," said Veikune. "The NFL is a very physical game, so I think they put two and two together and started recruiting over there."

"We're just people trying to play football and have a job," Maiava said modestly. "I don't know if we're the chosen few or anything. We're just trying to make a living."

This year was no different in Cleveland, as the Browns picked up another Samoan player with a high motor in Shawn Lauvao. An offensive tackle out of Arizona State, that head coach Eric Mangini praises as a player that never stops working, hitting his man and then 'cleaning out the pocket' until the whistle blows.

Lauvao's attitude is one that has been sorely missed in Cleveland for years, “I like to knock heads, if I don’t have anything to do, I’m going to go see if I can smash somebody else."

Fast-forward to today, the Cleveland Browns announced the signing of undrafted free agent Martin Tevaseu, a Samoan nose tackle out of UNLV. In attendance at his Pro Day, Cleveland scouts undoubtedly walked away impressed by his performance, but Tevaseu went overlooked on draft day.

Tevaseu shed weight from an over-sized 420 pound frame, to an absolutely dominating 335 pound monster. Coming from a smaller school like UNLV, Tevaseu had to work harder to even be noticed, much like 2009 Browns' Eric Wright and Beau Bell.

Tevaseu's impressive 2009 season where he overpowered double-teams all year, earned him a spot in the East-West Shrine Game where he was coached by NFL legend Marty Schottenheimer. It's reported that the blown away coach ran up to Tevaseu in the parking lot afterwards, introduced himself, and then said the words, “I want to tell you, son, you are doing a hell of a job. A hell of a job."

It remains to be seen if Tevaseu makes the opening day roster, but with current nose tackle Shaun Rogers facing a gun possession charge, it seems his chances are that much better.

Martin Tevasau highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EmSnKXjJPI

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Shawn Lauvao Brings Power to Browns ‎

Shawn Lauvao has never pulled a van, lifted a giant tire, flipped a log or done any of the other bizarre and entertain­ing events that make up the world’s strongest man competitions.

But the newest Browns offensive line­man, and 2005 Hawaii Strongest Teen, is open to the possibility.

“Maybe in the future,” he said over the weekend at Browns rookie minicamp. “It’s definitely a big hobby of mine. I enjoy lift­ing weights. I’m kind of strong.”

Lauvao was drafted in the third round at No. 92 overall.

The pick came just seven selec­tions after that of Texas quarter­back Colt McCoy, so Lauvao has been largely an afterthought.

The afterthought has a much better chance of contributing this season.

Lauvao, who finished his Ari­zona State career with 33 straight starts, played left tackle as a sen­ior, but at 6-foot-2, 315 pounds projects as an NFL guard. Vet­eran Floyd Womack is penciled in as the starter at right guard, but Lauvao could immediately push him for playing time.

“The biggest thing is I want to make the team and help the team any way possible,” said Lauvao, who grew up in Hawaii and whose parents live in West­ern Samoa. “Whatever the coaches see fit, I’m more than willing to do.”

If Lauvao gets on the field, his strength will be a significant factor. He can bench press 500 pounds, squat 700 and clean 350. He benched 225 pounds an impressive 33 times at the combine, and was disap­pointed he didn’t do more.

“Shawn came in strong, had a tremendous work ethic the entire time he was here and got much stronger,” Arizona State strength coach Ben Hilgart said by phone. “What’s more impressive is that pound for pound he’s very good. He han­dles his body weight very well.” Hilgart said Lauvao’s “relative strength” was obvious when the linemen did chin-ups.

While plenty of 300-pounders struggle to do one, Lauvao ups the ante and doesn’t disap­point.

“We’ve got chains we use that weigh about 20 pounds apiece,” Hilgart said. “He’ll drape three of those around his back, kinda Mad Max style. It turns him into 375 pounds, 60 of which is dead weight, and he’ll bang out 10 chin-ups.”

If strength were enough to make a good NFL player, the behemoths from the strong man competition — Magnus and Andrus — would be raking in millions. But that strength must be converted to opera­tional power. “There’s a lot of guys who can lift a lot of weight, who are strong, but not very athletic,” Lauvao said. “The biggest thing is playing with better leverage, better knee bend, dropping your hips more, having better reaction, as opposed to trying to run and smash people.
You’ve got to do it in a more controlled manner.”

Hilgart’s seen Lauvao do that on the field, and he also saw it at the scouting combine when Lauvao posted the best time of any offensive lineman in the short shuttle drill.

“It’s a great indicator of how a guy can change direction, burst off the line and drop his hips,” Hilgart said. “It shows versatility. He’s an athletic and strong kid. He’s not just a big, slow, strong kid.

“I’ve seen it in games and practices. When he gets hold of you, it’s lights out. I’ve seen him lock ’em out with one arm and just stone that person.

That’s an application of where strength is translating to the football field.”

Lauvao earned his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, specializing in educa­tion and sociology. He said he’s six to nine units from getting his master’s and would like to use the degrees to go into coaching.

The Browns targeted charac­ter and toughness in the draft, and Lauvao appears to bring both. As a senior, he was voted captain by his teammates and won the Hard Hat award, given to the MVP of strength training. “It’s not about the strongest person, it’s who’s working the hardest, doing the little things right and motivating people in the weight room,” Hilgart said.

“He just happened to also be our strongest guy.

“He’s a great football player, a hard worker and a great per­son. All that stuff’s legit. All that stuff’s authentic.”

The coaching staff worked Lauvao at both guard spots during rookie minicamp, and he said they want him to mas­ter guard before expanding his repertoire.

“He’s tough, he’s physical,” coach Eric Mangini said. “One of the things that you like about watching offensive line­men or something that always jumps off the screen to me is guys that clean the pocket.
Which means when they are not blocking somebody, they go and help somebody else out, and it’s usually one of those hits that defensive line­men remember.

“There were quite a few of those with him. You appreciate that.”

Lauvao had a simple expla­nation for what Mangini spot­ted on film.

“I like to knock heads,” he said. “If I don’t have anything to do, I’m going to go see if I can smash somebody else.”

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Shawn Lauvao Selected by The Cleveland Browns in Third Round

Shawn Lauvao was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 92nd overall pick

Lauvao has been a powerful offensive lineman for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Playing in 42 games and making 33 consecutive starts to close out his career, Lauvao has been ASU's most consistent and experienced guards throughout the past three years.

Standing at 6'3" and weighing 315 lbs., his big stature will be a big contribution to the struggling Cleveland Browns. He shows great agility and quickness with his big frame and will fit in nicely with the rebuilding Browns team.

Having starting experience at guard, left tackle, and right tackle will give the Browns some options as to where he will fit in best.

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Senior Bowl 2010 Recap

At senior bowl prac­tice this year the 6 foot 5, 325 pound guard pan­caked Louisiana Tech’s D’Anthony Smith dur­ing a pass rush drill.  That changed every­thing for Iupati who instantly became some­one to keep an eye on. Iupati was arguably the best offensive lineman on the field throughout the week. Whether working outside at tackle or inside at guard, Iupati was dominant. He now appears to be a lock to go inside the first 20 picks. He is fast, strong, and smart.  A great com­bi­na­tion for a man try­ing to make his mark in one of the most impor­tant posi­tions in football.

Seems as though Koa Misi, a defensive end moving to linebacker, has impressed throughout the week including the weigh-in.
Misi who was listed at 6' 2", 263 came in an inch taller and twenty pounds lighter. He was fluid in coverage and in drills all week. And the Senior Bowl he continued his excellent performance, and was one of the standout players. Misi is projected as a second to third round pick, but after his performance, I wouldn't be shocked to see a team grab him high in the 2nd round.

NFL scouts and personnel are getting to see it for themselves just how good Tyson Alualu the defensive end / defensive tackle for Cal really is. Alualu may have increased his stock too. Several times during the telecast, NFL Network's draft guru Mike Mayock mentioned big-motored defensive end as a player he'd want on his team. "Well, you know, he's multi-dimensional, he could play tackle, he can play end," said Schwartz before interrupting himself to talk about a fumble the North Team had just recovered for a touchdown. "Well anyway, number one, he is a hard-working kid. He's tough. He had probably the best work week of anybody we have. Great motor, great kid, played inside and outside. I think he really helped himself this week down here at the Senior Bowl." Throughout the week, reports continued to talk of the 'terror' that Alualu was causing against offensive linemen on the practice field, and Saturday he showed he could translate that terror to the playing field. Besides providing pressure on nearly every play he was on the field, he created some havoc with a sack, a fumble forced, and a fumble recovered.

Illinois tight end Michael Hoomanawanui also is looking good during practices. He was recognized as one of the North team's stars on Tuesday. As Scouts Inc. writes: "He is a crisp, physical route-runner who does not get pushed around and catches the ball well in traffic. We'd like to see a more violent punch as a run-blocker but he showed good leg drive on Day 2 and is by far the best inline blocker among the North tight ends."

It was an underwhelming day for Shawn Lauvao, who was slow out of his stance and lacks core strength at the point of attack. He catches defenders and needs to be more aggressive because he lacks the upper-body strength to be effective. Arkansas State DL Alex Carrington absolutely ran Lauvao over on a twist during drills. Lauvao looks like a late-round pick at this point. That's an interesting take. Lauvao is probably one of the strongest guys on the field but weight room work sometimes doesn't translate to the field.

One question I kept hearing about, especially from scouts who covered the Big Ten, was: “Where is your other client, TE Tony Moeaki?” Many, including myself, were baffled why Tony was overlooked for an invite. Not taking anything away from the guys who were there, especially Ed Dickson of Oregon, who is clearly the best of the North squad, Tony is rated higher by scouts and is the full package when it comes to an every-down TE skill set. It kills me to see his name 7 or 8 down on the TE draft depth charts. He's in the top 3 for sure. Some NFL GM is going to be made to look brilliant by picking him up.

Poly's Participating in the 2010 "Senior Bowl"

Senior Bowl Football Game:

Date:	January 30, 2010
Kickoff:	3pm (CT)
Stadium:	Ladd-Peebles Stadium (40,646)
Television:	NFL Network
Tickets:	$24, $18 & $10

The following are the Polynesian Football Players that will be participating in the 2010 "Senior Bowl."

Alualu, Tyson

California

DL

Height: 6-2

Weight: 291

 

CAL CAREER: Played all 52 games possible with 40 starts over the last four seasons, including a run of 39 consecutive starts over his final three campaigns to end his career … finished his career with 195 tackles to go along with 26.0 TFL (-134 yards), 16.0 sacks (-111 yards), seven passes defended, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, a blocked kick, an interception that he returned eight yards and 11 quarterback hurries … returned one of his four fumble recoveries for a touchdown at Oregon in 2007.
2009: A first-team All-Pac-10 selection for the first time in his career and a Phil Steele 2009 Postseason All-Pac-10 Second-Team choice who led all Pac-10 linemen with a career-high 65 tackles ... led the team in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (11.5) and among league-leaders in the two categories with per-game of averages of 0.58 sacks (No. 7 Pac-10) and 0.88 tackles for loss (No. 10 Pac-10), No. 8 Pac-10) and tackles for loss … his 65 tackles ranked third on the team overall … started all 13 games for the third consecutive season and played in all 13 for the fourth straight year … won four team awards (Brick Muller Award – Most Valuable Defensive Lineman; Joe Roth Award – Player best exemplifying courage, attitude and sportsmanship; Cort Majors Captain – Defense, Senior Lifter of the Year) with the Brick Muller honor his third consecutive ... also earned preseason honorable mention All-America honors from NationalChamps.net, as well as first-team All-Pac-10 honors from Athlon and Sporting News, and second-team recognition by Lindy’s and Phil Steele.
Game-By-Game: vs. Maryland: 3 tackles, 0.5 SK (-6), 0.5 TFL (-6), 1 FF • vs. EWU: 4 tackles • at Minnesota: 6 tackles, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL • at Oregon: 8 tackles, 1.0 SK (-6), 2 TFL (-7) • vs. USC: 4 tackles, 1.0 SK (-8), 1 PBU • at UCLA: 1 tackle • vs. Washington State: 5 tackles, 0.5 SK (-2), 0.5 TFL (-2), 1 PBU • at Arizona State: no stats • vs. Oregon State: 9 tackles • vs. Arizona: 7 tackles, 1.0 SK (-5), 2.0 TFL (6.0), FF, QBH • at Stanford: 4 tackles, 0.5 TFL (0) • at Washington: 8 tackles, 1.5 SK (-6), 1.5 TFL (-6) • vs. Utah (Poinsettia Bowl): 5 tackles, 1.5 TFL (-3)
2008: Had 62 tackles for the most for a Cal defensive lineman since Duane Clemons posted 82 in 1995, but a number he improved upon in his 2009 senior campaign ... named second-team All-Pac-10 ... started all 13 games for the second consecutive season and played in all 13 for the third year in a row ... had at least 0.5 TFL in all but two games ... recipient of Cal’s Brick Muller Award as the team’s most valuable defensive lineman for the second straight year ... 11th in the Pac-10 with 6.0 sacks and tied for 16th in the league with 11.0 TFL ... finished the regular season with a career-best 10 tackles, including a sack and two for loss, plus a forced fumble vs. Washington ... played well at Maryland with eight total tackles, including one sack ... had a pair of sacks for minus 17 yards and two pass breakups in a win over UCLA ... registered a 10-yard sack at USC among his 1.5 TFL ... finished with eight tackles plus a forced fumble in the Big Game vs. Stanford.
2007: Started all 13 games for the first time and played in all 13 for the second consecutive season … paced Cal’s defensive linemen with 52 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss … added 2.5 sacks, an interception and a team-best four fumble recoveries … had 20 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries in the last three regular season games, including a season-high eight stops in the Big Game at Stanford ... recorded a pair of sacks and five tackles at Colorado State … recovered his first career fumble and took it into the end zone for a touchdown vs. Arizona after a Thomas DeCoud blitz on quarterback Willie Tuitama jarred the ball loose … snared a key interception at Oregon in the fourth quarter when the Ducks were driving and threatening to score … also recovered a fumble against USC ... earned the Brick Muller Award as the team’s most valuable defensive lineman.
2006: Stepped into the defensive line rotation as a true freshman ... saw action in all 13 games, including his first career start against Oregon State ... registered 16 tackles, fourth on the defensive line ... tallied a season-high six tackles (three solo) against UCLA and added five takedowns (two solo) in his college debut at Tennessee.
 
PERSONAL: Full name is Tyson Asi Alualu … born May 12, 1987 … parents are Ta’avao and Levaa’i Alualu ... he and his wife, Desiré, have a son, Tyreé, and a daughter, Dereon ... has seven sisters, Taimane-Ruta, Tanya, Tasia, Tatiana, Timena, Trinity and Trust, and one brother, Tupu ... relatives who have played college football include uncle Tupu Alualu (Hawai’i), and cousins Ben Alualu (Arizona) and Tyrone Alualu (Laney College) … lives by the motto “God first, and everything else will fall in place” ... major is Ethnic Studies.

Hoomanawanui, Mike
Illinois
TE
Height: 6-4
Weight: 267

 

Collegiate Accomplishments
2009: Played in eight games, starting five … Had one catch, but it was his career-long, a 30-yarder in the season finale against Fresno State … Returned to play against Cincinnati, but did not record any catches … Missed the Northwestern, Minnesota and Michigan games with an ankle injury … Had two catches for 18 yards at Purdue … Returned after missing two games with an ankle injury to start against Indiana, but didn’t record any catches … Missed three quarters of the Penn State game and the Michigan State game with an ankle injury … Had two catches for 13 yards at Ohio State … Caught three passes for 51 yards against Illinois State … Had one catch for two yards in the season opener vs. Missouri.
2008: Earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by both the media and coaches … Played in all 12 games and started eight at tight end … Caught two passes for 21 yards in the season finale at Northwestern … Had two receptions for 13 yards against Ohio State … Caught four passes for 45 yards against Western Michigan … Had a 25-yard reception at Wisconsin … Caught a one-yard TD pass against Indiana … Caught two passes for 33 yards against Minnesota … Had two receptions for 23 yards at Penn State … Caught a career-high five passes for a career-high 74 yards against Lousiana-Lafayette … Caught two passes for 24 yards against Eastern Illinois … Had three receptions and a touchdown for 48 yards versus Missouri … Also returned an 18-yard kickoff against Mizzou.
2007: Played in 11 games, starting five at tight end … Caught one pass for 20 yards against Northwestern … Caught a three-yard touchdown pass at No. 1 Ohio State … Caught one pass for 12 yards at Iowa … Returned a kickoff 16 yards at the end of the first half against No. 5 Wisconsin … Hauled in his first career touchdown pass at Indiana, a two-yard connection with Juice Williams … Caught the first pass of his career at Syracuse, a 27-yard strike on third down.
2006: Played in 10 games, starting three at tight end … Caught a pass to convert a two-point conversion vs. Purdue … Saw action against Northwestern, Purdue, Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa, Syracuse, Rutgers and Eastern Illinois but did not record any offensive statistics.

High School Accomplishments
Chicago Tribune first-team All-State … Chicago Sun-Times first-team All-State … PrepStar All-Midwest Region … Champaign News-Gazette All-State … Bloomington Pantagraph All-State… First Team All-Cornbelt Conference … WJBC-AM Ron Smith Player of the Year … Three-star recruit, ranked as the No. 40 tight end in the country by Rivals.com … Made 50 receptions for 843 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior … Also, led team with 139 tackles and eight sacks on defense … Lettered in basketball during freshman, sophomore and junior years … High school coach was Bobby Moews … Chose Illinois over Purdue, Northern Illinois and Oregon State.

Personal Information
Full given name is Michael Patrick Hoomanawanui … Born July 4, 1988 … Son of Anne and Isy Hoomanawanui … Has one sister … Father played football for Illinois State… Majoring in sport management.

Iupati, Mike
Idaho
OL
Height: 6-5
Weight: 325

Iupati (pronounced ee-YOU-PAH-tee) earned consensus All-American honors this season after being named to the first team by the Associated Press, Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America. He was also named to the Sporting News’ second team All American squad.
An Outland Trophy finalist and first team All-WAC selection, Iupati helped the Vandals claim just the second bowl victory in program history—a 43-42 win over Bowling Green in the Humanitarian Bowl. He didn’t allow a single sack all season and graded out at 90 percent or better in all 13 games.

Lauvao, Shawn
Arizona State
OL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 301

  

ASU: Powerful offensive lineman who was an anchor of ASU's line over the last three seasons...played in every game over the last three years, finishing his career with 33 consecutive starts...played a total of 42 games over his four-year career...saw action at both guard and tackle...made 17 starts at left guard, 12 at left tackle and four at right tackle.

2009: Started all 12 games at left tackle...it marked the second straight season he started every game...was one of two offensive linemen to start every game during the season, along with guard Jon Hargis, and one of just six players overall to do so in 2009...earned Second-Team All-Pac-10 honors, the second straight year he received all-conference recognition...served as a team captain, along with defensive end Dexter Davis and linebacker Mike Nixon...helped the Sun Devils reduce their number of sacks allowed from 34 in 2008 to 27 in 2009...helped block for running back Dimitri Nance, who ran for a career-high 795 yards on the season with the first three 100-yard rushing games of his career.

2008: Started all 12 games, the first eight at left guard and then the last four at right tackle...was an Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 selection...began the season as one of only two Sun Devil offensive linemen with previous starting experience, along with fellow guard Paul Fanaika...helped protect ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter, who started all 12 games during the season...team won three straight games after he made the move to right tackle, beginning with the game at Washington on Nov. 8...Devils ran for season-high 182 yards in Lauvao's first start at right tackle.

2007: Played in all 13 games, with nine starts...became the starting left guard in Week 5 at Stanford, and held that position for the remainder of the season...helped block for an ASU rushing attack that had three players surpass 500 yards rushing each on the season (Keegan Herring, Ryan Torain and Dimitri Nance)...was the youngest of the seven Sun Devil offensive linemen that started during the season, breaking into a rotation that also included five seniors and one junior.

2006: Appeared in five games as a redshirt freshman...made his Sun Devil debut in the season opener against Northern Arizona...also competed against Nevada, Stanford, Washington State and at Arizona...earned Hard Hat Player recognition for his work in the team's winter strength and conditioning program.

2005: Redshirted as a member of the scout team...earned the McBurney Scout Team Award, given annually to ASU's most outstanding offensive scout team player.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2005 graduate of Farrington High School in Honolulu, Hawaii...rated as the No. 6 prospect in the state of Hawaii, regardless of position, by Rivals.com...rated as the No. 35 offensive guard in the nation by Rivals.com ... as a senior, made first-team all-state as an offensive lineman by the OIA...named second-team all-state by The Honolulu Advertiser and The Honolulu Star-Bulletin...was a two-time team captain...received a certificate of recognition from the Hawaii chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame for his efforts as a an outstanding student and athlete...placed second in the Hawaii Strong Man Competition when he was 16 (16-18-year-old age bracket)...won the 2005 Hawaii Strongest Teen competition in April...lists that as one of his most exciting sports experiences...bench presses 420 pounds, squats 500 and power cleans 300...lettered five times in football and once in track and field...threw the shot put and discus for the first time as a senior...two-time Farrington High Scholar-Athlete of the Year...selected to play in the Hawaii Classic All-Star football game...was the captain of the east team at that all-star game...as a junior, made first-team all-state OIA and was honorable mention all-state by The Honolulu Advertiser and The Honolulu Star-Bulletin ... honor roll student who sported a 3.8 grade-point average in high school...was coached by Randall Okimoto.

PERSONAL: Graduated in December 2008 with a BIS degree in Interdisciplinary Studies...parents are Sisifo S. Lauvao Jr. and Faumuiana Lee Lauvao of Honolulu...both of his parents work for the state of Hawaii department of collections...has three siblings: Alesana, Penina and Samuel...his cousin, Saute Sapolu, played defensive end at ASU from 1985-88...enjoys running, weight lifting, movies and church activities...born Oct. 26, 1987 in Honolulu...full name is Shawn Sisifo Lauvao.

Misi, Koa
Utah
LB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 244

 

UTAH: Two-time all-MWC player may be the best defensive lineman in the Mountain West Conference … has played in all 37 games and started in 35 since joining Utah as a sophomore JC transfer … 24.5 career tackles for loss … best suited for end, he can also play tackle, where he started in 2007 … very strong (can squat 545 pounds) and athletic (36” vertical jump) … fastest U. defensive lineman also led the position in the spring agility tests.
2009–First-team all-MWC … started 11 games at defensive end (missed the first game due to injury) … 65 total tackles and 5.9 tackles per game is more than any defensive lineman in the MWC … fourth on the team in total tackles … tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (8.0) and ranks second on the team in sacks (4.5) … 10th in the MWC in sacks per game (0.41) … leads the league in fumbles caused per game (0.27) and is tied for the league lead in total forced fumbles (three) … named MWC Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 2 against Wyoming with eight tackles and two sacks … season-high 12 tackles against Air Force … forced fumbles against TCU, Louisville, Colorado State.
2008–Second-team all-conference … started all 13 games – 12 at end and one (Air Force) at tackle … 68 total tackles led Utah’s linemen and ranked third overall … 8.5 TFL and six pass breakups ranked third on the team … led Utah with three forced fumbles (tied for the third-most in the MWC) … forced a fumble against BYU that led to a score … also had six tackles and two pass breakups vs. BYU … tied career-high with nine tackles against Air Force, including two for loss … eight tackles in back-to-back games against Colorado State and New Mexico … one and a half sacks against Michigan … two pass breakups against Oregon State … won Utah’s defensive Iron Ute award.
2007–Played in all 13 games and started the last 11 … played defensive end for the first two games, moving to tackle when injuries struck … third on the team in tackles with 67 … leading tackler on the line also had 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries … season-high nine tackles in bowl win over Navy … eight tackles, including two sacks, and a fumble recovery against UCLA … seven stops versus Utah State … six tackles against New Mexico and UNLV … recovered a fumble and returned it 28 yards against New Mexico … academic all-MWC.

PRIOR TO UTAH: First-team all-conference defensive end helped Santa Rosa Junior College to a division title and a bowl invitation … two-time first-team all-conference player for Montgomery High School (Calif.) … Defensive Player of the Year … Montgomery went 13-0 in 2005 and won the league title … also lettered in baseball and basketball … honor roll student.

PERSONAL: Son of Kathy Moix, Sione Misi and stepmother Melissa Misi ... father played football for Hawaii … one sister … enjoys snowboarding and wakeboarding … sociology major … name is pronounced ko-a mee-see … full name is Nawa’akoa Lisiate Foti Analeseanoa Misi … born Jan. 17, 1987.

Sun Devils' Tackle Evolves Into Leadership Role

This is Shawn Lauvao, the wizard of the weight room, the former Hawaiian Strongman medalist who used to pull tractors for sport? The guy has the cadence of a beat poet - "Dennis Erickson. Cool cat." - and spews more purr than growl - "I'm a lover, not a fighter."

"He doesn't say much," former Arizona State All-American Juan Roque said, "but he gets it done on the field."

On an ASU football team filled with question marks, left tackle Lauvao is the closest to a sure thing. He is one of the Pac-10's more-underrated players and the reason Erickson is breathing easier despite an unstable quarterback situation.

"He's taken that offensive line on his shoulders," the ASU coach said.

Not much is expected of the Sun Devils. They finished 5-7 last season and were tabbed fifth in the preseason media poll, a ranking many call generous. No unit was criticized more last season than the offensive line, and former quarterback Rudy Carpenter has the battle scars to prove it.

"They've all got a chip on their shoulders," Erickson said. "They can read."

The group was painful to watch last season. A lethal mix of inexperience and injuries prevented the offense from ever resembling a well-oiled machine.

After starting at left guard, Lauvao was moved to right tackle for the final third of the season to help ease the outside pressure on Carpenter. Lauvao made an impact, but breakdowns around him were frequent. If the Sun Devils hope to help likely starting quarterback Danny Sullivan along, they can't allow the middle blitz to be a deal-breaker again this season.

"Last season was a fluke," Lauvao said. "We're not going to get beat like that again. We've made great progress, and we've transformed our attitude."

With junior Jon Hargis joining senior Lauvao on the left side and five linemen back that missed part or all of last season, this unit appears to be in much better shape.

Lauvao is the biggest reason. He offers not only technical know-how but a leadership-by-example trait that has won over his teammates. Maybe it's because he's widely regarded as the hardest worker in the weight room, bench-pressing a cool 500 pounds and squatting 675.

"No one is a leader right out of the gate," Roque said. "Shawn has evolved into that role. He doesn't say much, but it's in the way he works and plays the game.

"And he should be at left tackle, because you've got to put your best player there. You've got to let Danny get in a rhythm and not have him get hit every play."

If Lauvao's name sounds unfamiliar, it's because of the anonymity that comes with playing on the line. He often has gone unnoticed, even when he won Hawaii's Strongest Teen competition in 2005 and earned all-state honors as a senior at Honolulu's Farrington High School.

In fact, colleges, including Hawaii, had minimal interest in him until late in his senior season. Lauvao took things into his own hands, sent out videos to college programs and suddenly became a hot commodity. Credit former ASU coach Dirk Koetter and his staff for being in the mix early, offering up the likeable Brandon Rodd, a former offensive lineman also from Hawaii, as his recruiting host and convincing him to commit just as Southern California and Miami were moving in.

"I didn't like it here at first when I visited," he said. "There was no one in town, and I was leaning toward Brigham Young because I thought I could stay out of trouble. But I looked at the people in the program and thought they could help me get to the NFL."

"Trouble?" Roque said. "He's the type of guy I could see serving soup in a soup kitchen but never being in the newspaper for doing something wrong."

Lauvao might be right about the NFL part. He already is listed on analysts' draft boards. Former Dallas Cowboys executive Gil Brandt projects him as at least a seventh-round pick because he likes Lauvao's "strength and work ethic."

High praise for a guy who projects a laid-back vibe off the field.

"Those are the kind you've got to watch," Roque said. "Dangerous. He'll smile.

"And then he'll knock you out."

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ASU's Lauvao a Workout Warrior

Arizona State fans don't need to worry about Sun Devils offensive tackle Shawn Lauvao spending so much of his time this summer mentoring young people. He's not going to fall behind in the weight room for any reason.

Unless you think a 500 pound bench press and 675 pound squat is falling behind.

While Lauvao did work at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes sports camp in Flagstaff, Ariz., and an Athletes in Action camp on the campus of Colorado State, he still made his 6 a.m. workouts with the rest of the Sun Devils offensive line.

That maligned unit, which has struggled the past two seasons, decided that joint early workouts would build camaraderie. He and the rest of the Sun Devils are eager to put a 5-7 campaign in 2008 behind them.

"I want to say last year was a fluke," Lauvao said.

Lauvao, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound senior, is the Sun Devils best blocker, which is why he switched from guard to tackle this spring. He believes a lack of experience and injuries made the line vulnerable last year.

"That's the biggest thing," he said. "We have a lot of ballers but you'd be surprised what injuries do."

The hope is the line will be far deeper and athletic if Matt Hustad, Zach Schlink and Adam Tello all make successful returns from injuries that knocked them out of spring practices.

The other big question for the Sun Devils is how well quarterback Danny Sullivan will play after four up-and-down years with Rudy Carpenter leading the offense.

"He's really stepped it up," Lauvao said. "He realizes his clock is running down and this is his opportunity. He's really taken the reins and been a vocal leader, making guys accountable. He's really elevated his play. He's taken the initiative and handled the situation well."

As for Lauvao off the field, he earned a degree in educational sociology in three and a half years and is now pursuing his master's degree in secondary education. He said he wants to mentor and coach young people when he's done with football, perhaps as a high school teacher.

In other words, he's not just dabbling when he volunteers.

"I kind of wish I did more," he said. "To have that type of positive influence can go a long way, pushing kids in the right directions instead of them believing, 'I don't have any options. I don't have anything to believe in.'"

Hard work and, Lauvao said, strict parenting got him where he is today. He noted that he only weighed 185 pounds as a high school sophomore and didn't play football until his junior year at Farrington High in Honolulu, where he was a two-time Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Now he's a top candidate for All-Conference honors and could play his way into the first day of the NFL draft.

But first he wants to get the bad taste of 2008 out his mouth and be part of an offensive line renaissance in Tempe.

"Last year was unacceptable," he said.

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