By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK – There were certainly some surprises in the opening round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and Lions GM Bob Quinn unveiled the first big head scratcher of Round 2 on Friday night, selecting Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai with pick No.43.
“The draft is a tricky thing, of course,” Tavai told reporters in a conference call after being asked if he was surprised to be taken in Round 2. “But I’m just blessed and happy that the Lions took the opportunity to draft me. So right now I’m just feeling really blessed and thankful for the Lions for showing some love towards me. I’m really happy right now. I’m speechless.”
Tavai, 22, was named all-Mountain West honorable mention in 2018 and finished his college career ranked second all-time at Hawaii in tackles with 391. In four seasons as a starter for the Rainbow Warriors he had 17.5 sacks. At 6-foot-two and 250 pounds, Tavai has the size the Lions typically look for in a linebacker, but he’s not fast and was clocked at 4.86 in the 40-yard dash at Hawaii’s Pro Day.
He was suspended for the season opener in 2018 due to an arrest for an assault in a Honolulu night club last June, and missed time due to a shoulder injury. In eight starts, Tavai finished the year with 82 tackles and two sacks.
The Inglewood, Calif. native, who one played rugby on the U.S. National team, said he’s now in good health as far as his shoulder is concerned. On the night club incident, he said, “I try not to think about that. The past is the past. I’ve learned from my mistake and I’m trying to move on right now and just show the Lions that I’m ready to go and I’m now allowing anything off the field to ever affect me again from missing time or anything like that.”
The pre-draft overview on Tavai from NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein said the following: “He’s not overly explosive, but his decisiveness and motor are play traits that should serve him well as a pro. He could be a good three-down backup who could develop into an eventual starter inside.”
Tavai joins a linebacker room that includes last year’s starters, Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard, Christian Jones and backup Jaylen Reeves-Maybin. As for where he will fit in on the Lions’ defense and where the team intends to play him, Tavai said he wasn’t sure, but that inside linebacker is his primary position and where he expects to be playing once his time in a Honolulu blue and silver uniform begins.
For fans not familiar with him or his style of play, the Lions’ second-round pick says he’s going to work hard to show he’s the type of player they covet.
“I want fans to know that I’m going to play every down that I can,” said Tavai. “I’m going to hustle to the ball and just show that I’m giving 110 percent every play. I’m going to show that I’m going to be the guy that they are looking for.”