Itula Mili and the telephone weren't one and the same during yesterday's second phase of the National Football League draft. Seahawks surprise Mili
By Paul Arnett
by picking him
Star-BulletinIn fact, when the Seattle Seahawks called to let him know they were taking him in the sixth round, the Brigham Young University tight end felt his heart skip a beat.
"I was surprised and grateful, very grateful," Mili said yesterday from his Provo, Utah home. "I didn't expect to be drafted. I don't know much about the Seahawks; what kind of offense they run. But I'll learn.
"We were in Seattle last year when we (BYU) played Washington. It's a very nice city. I'm really glad it's on the West Coast because it's close to Hawaii. It was a great surprise."
Fellow local player Ink Aleaga wasn't as fortunate. The University of Washington linebacker, who played in this year's Hula Bowl, was not selected. The 6-1, 230-pounder will likely sign a free-agent contract.
Mili was fully prepared to do the same. A debilitating knee injury in the first quarter of last December's Western Athletic Conference championship game cost the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder a first- or second-round selection.
While he should receive a modest contract and signing bonus for being the 174th player chosen, it won't be nearly what he would have made had he not blown out his knee.
Granted, it cost him millions of dollars. But it's something he doesn't want to dwell upon.
"There's nothing I can do about that," Mili said. "I'm just glad I got the chance to play in Seattle. I thought I would be a free agent because the injury was so bad.
"When they called, I said, 'Wow,' because it was really surprising to me. I never thought about Seattle. I know they called about me at school a couple of times, but you don't know anything for sure until they call your name."
Mili and Kahuku High School teammate Chris Naeole of University of Colorado fame were the only players with local ties selected. Naeole was the 10th pick overall in Saturday's first round, the highest selection since the Los Angeles Rams made Bern Brostek the 23rd choice in the first round of the 1990 draft.
"Chris really deserves that," Mili said. "I was so happy for him. He proves you can come from humble beginnings and make it big. It's a good day for the North Shore boys."
Naeole will report to the New Orleans Saints on Thursday. He was surprised, but pleased that new head coach Mike Ditka had that much faith in him. He will not only be blocking for quarterback Heath Shuler, but Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel as well. The Saints chose him in the fourth round.
No University of Hawaii players were selected or are expected to sign free-agent contracts. Senior safety Doe Henderson recently said he isn't going to pursue a professional career in football.
Senior place-kicker Carlton Oswalt will take part in a Los Angeles kicking camp the first weekend in May. Oswalt said it is the only one sanctioned by the NFL.
As for Mili, he isn't sure when the first Seattle camp will be held. Despite the injury, Mili was the only player on this year's 14-1 BYU team who was drafted, something that surprised him and Cougar offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
"That shocks me," Chow said last night. "But our guys don't always fit the mode NFL teams are looking for. I'm really happy for Itula. He's a great kid, who deserves being selected.
"Maybe the injury will be a blessing in disguise. Now, there won't be as much pressure on him because the team won't expect as much. When you're a high choice, a lot is expected of you.
"Even with the injury, a lot of teams expressed interest in him, especially Dallas.
"And how about that little school (Kahuku) on the North Shore? Give them credit for turning out that pro talent."
Chad Uyehara broke a 6-6 tie with a home run to left field in the sixth inning that enabled Oahu to capture the Senior AJA State Baseball tournament championship with a 7-6 victory over Kauai at Hans L'Orange Park yesterday. Oahu wins on
Uyehara's blastHawaii and Maui played to a 3-3 tie in a two-hour time limit game for third place.
Oahu tied the game earlier in the sixth when Moku Paiva singled, stole second, continued to third on a throwing error by Kauai catcher Niko Perreira and scored on Nohili Naumu's sacrifice fly.
RAIDERS IN TOP 10: The Iolani baseball team jumped into the No. 9 spot in the latest Baseball American Top 25 prep poll released Saturday.
The Raiders (22-1 overall) moved up from their previous 14th-place ranking April 6.