Tokolahi Leaves New Orleans Mini Camp Without Deal

Hilo High School graduate Semisi Tokolahi participated in the New Orleans Saints’ rookie minicamp but left without a contract, forcing him to find another way to get onto a National Football League roster for the upcoming season.

The undrafted defensive lineman from the University of Washington had three invites to NFL rookie minicamps, but they all landed on the same weekend, forcing Tokolahi to choose the one that gave him the best chance to make a team. He chose New Orleans based on conversations he and his agent had with the team during the draft process.

Donte Robinson, Tokolahi’s agent, confirmed to Big Island Now that Tokolahi did not receive a contract from the Saints. He said that Tokolahi felt that he did really well at the minicamp.

After the minicamp concluded, six players were signed by the team. Three of them, wide receivers Brent Leonard and Khiry Robinson and kicker Jose Maltos, were at the minicamp receiving tryouts. Other players signed include Korey Lindsey, a defensive back entering his second professional season from Southern Illinois, four-year pro Baraka Atkins, a linebacker from Miami (FL), and offensive Jeremiah Warren, who has a year of pro experience under his belt.

Robinson said that the next step is to find out from the Saints why Tokolahi did not receive a contract and to move forward. At the latest, another opportunity could come when teams kick off training camps before the 2013 season begins.