Hilo Grad Tokolahi to Attend New Orleans Rookie Mini-Camp

Hilo High School graduate Semisi Tokolahi, who recently completed a four year college football career at the University of Washington, has been invited to attend the rookie mini-camp of the New Orleans Saints.

Tokolahi told Big Island Now about the news Monday morning. According to his agent, Donte Robinson, Tokolahi had received rookie camp invites from Seattle, Atlanta, and Carolina, but because they all took place on the same weekend, he chose the location that gave him the best possible chance to move ahead.

“They came to my pro day and my agent kept in touch with them,” said Tokolahi. “They were interested in what I could do.”

Robinson, who represents seven other football players with Elite Sports Agency, said that he was fielding calls before and during the draft from teams that were interested in signing Tokolahi to a free agent deal. Teams that inquired included Arizona, Tampa Bay, and Houston, along with the teams that invited him to their rookie camp.

Robinson is confident that Tokolahi can stick with an NFL team, saying “Semisi’s in a great position. He’s going to work hard and get that spot.”

In 37 games at Washington, Tokolahi recorded 34 tackles and picked up a sack. He also forced two fumbles and recovered another one. He played all 13 games in his senior season, picking up 18 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Hilo native didn’t hear his name called on the last day of the 2013 NFL Draft, but got his rookie invite the following morning through his agent. He said is grateful to be able to have an opportunity to do something that most football players don’t have an opportunity to accomplish. Said Tokolahi, “for me, it’s another great opportunity to showcase what I can do.”