There are those who say Wayne Hunter cost himself a lot of money by leaving college a year early for the NFL Draft. Hunter’s choice
may turn out wellBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comDon't count Mel Kiper among them. The draft guru thinks the former Hawaii offensive tackle could get picked as high as the second round.
And an advisor to Hunter said the 6-foot-6, 305-pound prospect is as physically fit as he will ever be. It's good timing for Hunter, as the league's scouting combine gets under way today in Indianapolis and he is one of the NFL meat market's unknown quantities.
"He's cut his body fat in half, and he looked lean to begin with," Larry Goeas said. "He really had no weaknesses to begin with. He just had to get into the best shape possible for the combine, and he definitely did that."
Goeas, who spent last weekend with Hunter, said the Radford High School product and former California Bear has worked out the past six weeks in the Phoenix area with other clients of Priority Sports Management.
Goeas' brother, Leo, a former UH and NFL offensive lineman, lifted with Hunter a few times in the past month.
"In Leo's words, he was phenomenal," Larry Goeas said.
For a more objective evaluation, All-Pro Scouting Service ranks Hunter as the fifth-best offensive tackle going into the combine. It also reports that Hunter is benching 35 reps of 225 pounds routinely, and that he plans to go for 40 reps this week.
Two former Warrior offensive linemen could go in the first two rounds. Vince Manuwai is generally regarded as one of the best two or three guards available.
Other players at the combine with Hawaii ties are: UH linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, UH center Lui Fuata (Lahainaluna High School), Utah defensive tackle Lauvale Sape (Leilehua High School), South Florida inside linebacker Kawika Mitchell (born in Hawaii), Arizona guard Makoa Freitas (Kamehameha Schools), UH punter Mat McBriar and Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser (St. Louis School).
The combine -- which includes personal interviews in addition to speed, strength and agility tests -- concludes Monday. The NFL Draft is April 26 and 27 in New York.
National Football League