Thursday, January 10, 2002
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Nebraska guard Toniu Fonoti is going to the NFL, and he's got a bunch of people in Hawaii standing by his decision. Fonoti has support
in decision to go proFrom staff and wire reports
And that includes Siuaki Livai, his former coach at Kahuku High School.
"I'm happy for him," Livai said yesterday. "He and his family deserve it, and I'm proud to see that he's had all the success that he's making for himself.
"It's good for the Polynesians, it's good for Hawaii and it's good for Kahuku High School."
Fonoti, a native of American Samoa, chose to enter the NFL draft and forgo his senior season at Nebraska, where he was an All-American and considered one of the best at his position in the college game.
"It was more of the personal challenge of playing in the pros right now," the 6-4, 340-pounder said.
"I don't care where I go," Fonoti said. "I just want to play professional football."
Fonoti spent yesterday at Ala Moana Beach, according to his dad, Tony Fonoti.
"We just give him support, that's all we can do," Tony Fonoti said. "We stand behind him and try to help give him the opportunity so he can accomplish and excel in whatever he's doing.
"His goal was always to play in the NFL; now he's going to try and make it a reality and whatever team he ends up going to will be OK with us, we don't have any preference."
ESPN.com reported that Fonoti, 20, has been projected by several NFL scouts as a first-round pick in the April draft and that the 6-foot-4, 340-pounder may be able to make the transition from left guard to right tackle.
"There are still a lot of things I have to learn," Fonoti told Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com. "I know I'm not a finished product yet, but I also know I'll work hard to get better."
His father knows that, too.
"We told him he had to prepare, and that when he made up his mind, there would be no turning back," Tony Fonoti said. "The NFL is a different level, faster, stronger, tougher than college.
"And we told him that once you start something, you'd better finish it. And he thinks he can mix it up with the big boys."
Nebraska rival Oklahoma also lost an All-American a year early to the NFL.
Safety Roy Williams made it official yesterday that he is passing up a final season of eligibility for the NFL Draft.
Boston College's William Green, the nation's second leading rusher, also said he's leaving for the NFL. Green ran for 1,559 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, leading the Eagles to an 8-4 record, including a 20-16 win over Georgia in the Music City Bowl.
Williams, who helped the Sooners' to a national title in 2000 and an 11-2 record last season, was one of college football's most exciting stars in 2001. He had 101 tackles, 22 pass breakups, five interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
"I really feel that it's time for me to accept a new challenge for myself and my family," Williams said in a news release issued by the school.
Williams, 6-foot and 220 pounds, won the Bronco Nagurski award as the top defensive player and the Jim Thorpe award as the best defensive back.
Several other underclassmen decided to return to school. Among them were Miami defensive tackle William Joseph, LSU linebacker Bradie James, Georgia Tech defensive end Greg Gathers and Ohio State safety Mike Doss.