Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu, and Papua, New Guinea – these are just a few of
the islands in the South Pacific that bring up visions
of palm trees, sand, and crystal clear blue waters. For
football die-hards, a mention of the South Pacific might
prompt recalling the names of some really good football
players. Within the past 10 years or so, football
stateside has seen a relative explosion of talent coming
from the South Pacific where, by nature and genetics,
the men are big and strong. College football has taken
notice and coaches are realizing that there are
definitely places for these young men on their football
teams.
Etuini Haloti Moala Ngata, born in Inglewood, California
(not his land of origin – Tonga), is very much part of
this South Pacific phenomenon, rising in the college
football world. Complying with what seems like true
island tradition, Ngata’s physique is a very big and
strong. The 6' 5", 345 lb. defensive tackle for the
University of Oregon Ducks is also surprisingly quick –
a combination that makes the opposing offense cringe and
NFL scouts drool.
When watching Ngata play, you can't help but believe
that he was built specifically to play this game, but
that was not always the case. He was once told that he
had no place on a high school football team and was
recommended to play at the JV level. That was before
his mother placed a call to Highland High School in Salt
Lake City where her brother, Haloti Sr., helped to
approve a transfer for the young Haloti Ngata. He went
on to become the best defensive line prospect in the
country coming off of his senior year, earning a #1
ranking by both Super Prep and Prep Star Magazines. One
can only imagine the thoughts of a high school coach
left to bang his head on an empty locker that could have
belonged to Ngata if he hadn't let him slip through his
fingers.
After high school, nearly every major D-1 program in the
country recruited Ngata. Those schools included
Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas A&M, the majority
of the Pac-10 Conference, and BYU, to whom Ngata
originally pledged his verbal commitment. A devout
Mormon, Haloti Ngata was expected to take a 2-year
Mormon mission and play football for a school, which
would leave his scholarship in place during that time.
The two schools willing to do that were BYU and the
University of Oregon. Ngata eventually chose to play
for the Ducks where he could play alongside other
Polynesian players whom he had met on the recruiting
trail.
He
would be thankful for those teammates when tragedy would
touch what seemed to be a blessed life at the time.
After coming off a fantastic freshman season and while
preparing for the Seattle Bowl in December of 2002,
Ngata tragically lost his father when his truck slid off
a Utah highway. Matt Toeaina, his roommate had lost a
brother and was able to help Ngata keep himself
together. Haloti re-examined his goals and instead of
going on the traditional Mormon mission he had planned,
he decided to reach for the goals his father had set for
him. "I just want to get a degree for him," Ngata has
said, "I'm trying to work really hard for him in
school. My dad stressed it. He wanted me to get a
degree because he never graduated from high school and
never went to college."
Ngata played in 12 games as a true freshman, missing
only the season opener. Ngata broke into the starting
lineup in the fifth game against Arizona. He finished
the year with eight consecutive starts and was second on
the team in tackles among defensive lineman. He had a
season high 7 tackles in the game versus Oregon State, a
startling statistic for a true freshman. Along with his
impressive defensive play, Ngata was a forced to be
reckoned with on special teams. He showed great agility
in blocking kicks. His blocked PAT against the Bruins
sealed a 31-30 victory for the Ducks and got them off to
a 2-0 start in the Pac-10.
Ngata returned to football for his sophomore season at
Oregon but the road would not be a smooth one. Named a
Freshman All-American in 2002, Ngata was lost to a torn
ACL before the first quarter of the 2003 season was
completed. Even after missing almost all of last year,
Ngata was being talked about in some very elite circles
entering the 2004 season.
Upon his return this year, it was obvious that Ngata
recovered from his torn ACL and was a welcomed and much
needed presence on the field for the Oregon Ducks.
Having lost two defensive tackles after last year’s Sun
Bowl, Oregon needed Ngata to find himself at the
forefront of the action. Had it not been for his
injury, he would be among the most talked about
defensive tackles in football. When you’re one and only
year of college football is as impressive as Ngata's
was, one year is all anyone needs to see. Seeing Ngata
successfully returned from the injury, Duck fans were
grateful to see more of him.
Because of his 2003 season lost to injury and his
medical redshirt status,
Ngata is only a sophomore this year and could conceivably
stay for his junior and senior seasons. He dropped 20
pounds for the 2004 campaign, and has steadily improved
as the year has progressed. He started the year close
to 360 pounds, but his playing weight since the season
started has been around 335. He finished the season
with 46 tackles, 8.5 of those for a loss and he had 3.5
sacks. He also made a big impression this season on
special teams blocking 2 kicks. Not exactly the numbers
most people are used to from Ngata, but it took him a
while to get back to form after the knee injury.
"I came back a little slower than I thought I would"
said Ngata. "The first part of the season, I didn't
think I did as well as I could have, but now I think I'm
playing where I'm supposed to be at. I wish I could
have been there earlier."
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Ngata has NFL
talent. However, the question now is will that talent
be sought after in 2005, or will Ngata wait until 2006.
He promised his father a college degree, and that may be
a determining factor in whether or not he returns. All
indicators are pointing that he will be back at Oregon
next year. Said Ngata when asked about the NFL. "Nah,
I don't think I'm ready for it and it's only a year
after my injury. I don't think my body and technique
are ready for that. I've got to work on my hands and my
speed and quickness with my feet."
Ngata has been pressured about the NFL since the end of
his freshman season. Had it not been for the knee
injury last season, I don't think there is any doubt
that Ngata is a first round pick in 2005. Missing
almost an entire year hurts though, and if he were to
enter as an underclassman he’d certainly be a first day
selection, just not a first rounder, but most likely a
mid to late second.
It’s likely Ngata returns for another season of Duck's
football, despite money and fame that seem to tempt more
and more underclassmen each year. It comes down to
whether or not Haloti, himself, believes he is ready.
He’s indicated he’s not ready. But there is a flip
side, a compelling one – if I'm Ngata, with his power
and ability, I'm not sure I risk another injury and
having my draft stock plummet, or even completely
disappear. Either way, you have to respect the kid for
his honesty in saying he may not be ready. The last
thing a young man wants to do is enter the NFL and not
be physically ready to succeed.
Whether in a Ducks uniform or that of an NFL team,
there’s every reason to believe that with his successful
return from injury, we football die-hards will all have
the opportunity to marvel at his abilities for a long
time to come. Haloti Ngata is a load of fun to watch
and above that; he seems to be a great person. While he
is physically ready to play in the NFL tomorrow, his
personal agenda might dictate staying in school. The
NFL will be waiting for Ngata to join them, sooner or
later, and fans will be ready with excitement and
anticipation whenever that time arrives.
