HONOLULU - A school-record five Warriors were taken in this weekend's NFL Draft including defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis, center Samson Satele, running back Reagan Mauia, defensive and Melila Purcell, and running back Nate Ilaoa.

Alama-Francis (6-5, 276) was the top pick, going in the second round (58th overall), to the Detriot Lions. Satele (6-3, 302) was taken two picks later to the Miami Dolphins. Mauia (6-0, 266) was a surprise pick by Dolphins in the sixth round, while Purcell (6-5, 276) was chosen in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns, and Ilaoa (5-9, 255) went in the seventh round to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Alama-Francis, a two-year starter on the Warrior defensive front, finished second among defensive linemen with 39 total tackles (21 solo) and led the team with 16 quarterback hurries in 2006. He was second on the team with ten tackles for loss (-51) and sacks with four (-28).

Satele, who can play all positions on the offensive line, was drafted as a center where he started all 14 games and led team with 25 knockdowns as a senior in 2006. The four-time all-WAC and two-time All-America pick also graded highest of the offensive line four times in 2006.

Mauia played in 12 games as back-up running back in short yardage situations. The Stockton, Calif., native gained 153 yards and scored twice on 31 carries as a senior. He also had 10 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Purcell, a three-time all-WAC selection, led all defensive linemen with 60 tackles (36 solo), 15.5 tackles for loss (-47), and 9.5 sacks (-39) as a senior in 2006. The native of Pago Pago, American Samoa also led the team with 16 quarterback hurries and forced four fumbles.

Ilaoa, a two-year starter at running back, gained a team-high 990 yards and scored 13 touchdowns on 131 carries in 2006. The Stafford, Va., native averaged a whopping 7.6 yards per carry and added 67 receptions for 837 yards and five touchdowns through the air.

During Jones' eight seasons at UH, 16 players have been drafted by NFL teams. This is the most players taken in the NFL Draft since 2003 when linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (2nd round, St. Louis Rams), and offensive linemen Vince Manuwai (3rd round, Jacksonville Jaguars) and Wayne Hunter (3rd round, Seattle Seahawks), were all drafted.

The only other time three UH players were drafted was in 1985 when quarterback Raphel Cherry (5th round, Washington Redskins), defensive back Rich Miano (6th round, New York Jets), and wide receiver Mike Akiu (7th round, Houston Oilers) were taken.

Only six NCAA schools posted more Draft picks than Hawai'i this year, including Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Notre Dame and Florida.

Five other Warriors signed free agent contracts with NFL teams, including offensive tackles Tala Esera (Miami Dolphins) and Dane Upresa (Cincinnati Bengals), safety Leonard Peters (New York Jets), cornerback Kenny Patton (Oakland Raiders), and defensive tackle Lawrence Wilson (Baltimore Ravens).

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