Warriors hope
to get the callSopoaga and LaBoy aren't
the only ones who could
get a shot in the pros
While two college football players with Hawaii ties will likely feel the draft Saturday, most of the state's pro prospects don't have to turn on their phones until Sunday.
University of Hawaii defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga and end Travis LaBoy are expected to be picked in the first three rounds. But UH cornerback Kelvin Millhouse is one of several potential late-round choices and free-agent possibilities.
Millhouse did pretty well for a guy who says he didn't know how to run in college. He tied Keoni Jardine for the school record with 13 career interceptions.
Now Millhouse is hoping to be picked himself.
"I know I'm going to get drafted," Millhouse said in a phone interview from his home in Santa Ana, Calif. "That's the feedback I'm getting."
Scouts took notice of Millhouse early because of his 6-foot, 208-pound physique. Recently, he got more attention with a 40 time of 4.36 at UH's pro day at Carson, Calif.
A scout at the workout said the time might have been the product of a fast thumb, because he had Millhouse clocked slower. But Millhouse, who was previously listed at 4.55, said he improved his running technique at Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe, Ariz.
"That day was the fastest I ever ran, but I know I can duplicate it," said Millhouse, who never participated in track and field. "They basically re-taught me how to run. They broke down my technique and showed me the correct way to run the 40. I never really worked on running (at UH), just went out there and played football."
Even before the gaudy 40 time, some prognosticators had Millhouse going as soon as the fifth round. Others didn't list him at all.
UH wide receiver Jeremiah Cockheran and Arizona linebacker Joe Siofele (Saint Louis School) might be drafted on Sunday.
Cockheran (6-0, 190) is called an "underrated talent" but also "very raw" by NFLDraftScout. com, which predicts the Fontana, Calif., resident to be picked in the seventh round.
"I think he's got tremendous upside," Hawaii receivers coach Ron Lee said. "The Jets scouts timed him with three clocks averaging 4.36, and he did 4.4 in California. He'll help somebody, and he's got great attitude and work ethic."
Siofele (6-2, 250) has been home working out since the end of his Wildcats career in which he finished with 188 tackles. The Waipahu resident said he doesn't want to be drafted.
"You can have a better chance to make it as a free agent. The fourth round and up is no guarantee, and teams rather keep a cheaper guy. I don't mind being cheap if it gets my foot in the door," he said. "The Miami Dolphins showed some interest and I got a call from the Indianapolis Colts to reconfirm my phone number for the weekend, so that's a great sign."
Siofele helps his marketability with experience at defensive end and long snapper. He also promises to continue to be inspired by his brother, John Siofele, a Hawaii recruit who died in a car accident the summer before he was to enroll at UH.
"Always," Siofele said. "I will always play for him."
UH defensive end Kevin Jackson (6-4, 247) might get a free-agent look at outside linebacker -- the position he practiced at as a Warrior before he was moved to end in 2001.
"We've heard from a lot of coaches and scouts," said Jackson, who is back in Hawaii finishing his bachelor's degree in history this semester. "Green Bay, the Ravens. Anything can happen, I guess."
UH defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said his uncle, Ravens linebackers coach Mike Singletary, is intrigued by Jackson's potential.
"Mike watched the Houston and USC tapes and liked Kevin," Vantz Singletary said.
Agent Leo Goeas said he is working to get free-agent gigs for Warriors defensive linemen Lance Samuseva and Houston Ala.
