NASHVILLE – Former University of Hawaiʻi linebacker
Jahlani Tavai was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Tavai, a redshirt senior for the Rainbow Warriors during the 2018 season, was the 43rd overall pick in the draft.
Tavai is the 71st
UH player taken in the NFL Draft and tied for the third highest in program history along with Pisa Tinoisamoa, who also went No. 43 to the St. Louis Rams in 2003. He is the 11th player to be picked in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
The Inglewood, Calif, native is the highest draft pick since Travis LaBoy went 42nd overall to the Tennessee Titans in 2004. The last second-round pick out of UH was David Veikune, who went 52nd overall in 2009 to the Cleveland Browns.
Throughout his standout collegiate career (2015-18), Tavai racked up 391 career tackles, good for second most in program history. He was a three-time all-Mountain West selection and was twice selected as the team's Coach Bob Wagner Defensive MVP.
The Lions have selected a UH player four previous times in the NFL Draft - Ikaika Alama-Francis (2nd Round, 2007), DeWayne Jett (9th Round, 1980), Tom Tuinei (9th Round, 1980), and John Woodcock (3rd Round, 1976).
#HawaiiFB
