[ PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL ]
LaBoy’s career launched
while Sopoaga’s still
on hold
One former University of Hawaii football player's pro career took its biggest step toward reality yesterday, while another's was put on hold overnight.
Defensive end Travis LaBoy was picked by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the NFL Draft, the 42nd player selected overall. LaBoy left his family's home in Larkspur, Calif., for a news conference in Nashville today. His first mini-camp runs Friday through Sunday.
Most pundits expected UH defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga would also be chosen during yesterday's first three rounds, but it didn't happen. He made it to the top of draft guru Mel Kiper's "Best Available" list near the end of the third round, but was not selected in the first 96 picks.
Some teams backed off on Sopoaga because of questions about back and knee injuries that kept him out of three games last year, a source close to the situation said. At least one team totally removed him from its board of potential picks for that reason.
Also, teams were wary of picking a "real raw player with a bit of a language barrier," on the first day, another NFL source said. That person said Sopoaga's "upside is respected," and he would likely be picked early in today's fourth round.
While Sopoaga, who is on Oahu, had his celebration party postponed a day, LaBoy planned a small gathering with family and a few close friends last night.
"I guess I'm buying dinner," he said. "Steak."
He will be a millionaire when his contract negotiations are completed, but LaBoy said he does not have any major purchases planned. He will, though, be able to give his foundation for autistic and disabled children a healthy financial start.
"The guy who trained me and my brother (C.J.), Robert Dillon, has an autistic son (Robert Jr.)," LaBoy said. "Once you get to know him, you find out he's an amazing kid."
LaBoy said he's excited about joining the Titans, who are in dire need of help on the defensive line. All-Pro but oft-injured end Jevon Kearse became a Philadelphia Eagle through free agency and must be replaced, and Tennessee has only six veteran defensive linemen on its roster.
"This team would be a great place for any football player," said LaBoy, who visited the Titans' facilities three weeks ago. "It's a great franchise. They're in the playoffs every year. Their coaching staff is second to none. I'm really excited and happy about the way it went down today."
The Titans had five picks yesterday and used three of them on defensive linemen. In addition to LaBoy, they chose end Antwan Odom (Alabama) and tackle Randy Starks (Maryland).
LaBoy is listed at 6-foot-3 and 253 pounds. His new coach feels he is big enough to play full-time in the Titans' 4-3 base defense.
"Travis lines up on both sides and rushes the passer and plays the run with leverage," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said on the team's Web site. "He's the kind of player that we're looking for who can potentially play every down, and he plays every down very hard. He chases all over the place. He'll get upfield, he'll come in the back door on the quarterback. He's a very accomplished rusher at this stage in his career, and he's only going to get better."
Cornerback Kelvin Millhouse and wide receiver Jeremiah Cockheran join the watch-and-wait list today as the draft's final four rounds are conducted. Those two former UH players, along with Arizona linebacker Joe Siofele (Saint Louis School), will likely be picked up as free agents if not drafted.
Former UH defensive linemen Houston Ala, Kevin Jackson and Lance Samuseva also might get free-agent deals.