Editor's note: This is the seventh in a nine-part series previewing the NFL draft on April 25-26. Today's installment is a look at Weber State's Marcus Mailei and the running backs.
Marcus Mailei will soon be able to rest easy.
The former Weber State and Highland High fullback has had some sleepless nights and rattled nerves while anticipating this weekend's NFL draft. Mailei is rated among the top fullbacks in the nation, and he hopes to be a late-round pick.
"There have been a couple of nights where I stayed up 24 hours just worrying about stuff I have no control over," Mailei said. "There are times when I'm kind of doubting myself, and I have to watch my highlight film to make sure I'm in the right profession."
Weber State coach Ron McBride has no doubts Mailei is in the right profession. He said he "absolutely" believes Mailei will make an NFL roster.
"First of all, there are not a lot of guys in the country who can do what he does," McBride said. "Teams are doing more two-back stuff, and there are not a lot of fullbacks out there that are finishers. He's the ideal guy for any team."
Mailei certainly was a bruiser at the Football Championship Subdivision level. His lead blocking was a big reason why Trevyn Smith has won three straight Big Sky rushing titles and gained nearly 4,000 yards at Weber State. Mailei only carried the ball seven times as a senior, but he caught 20 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
Blocking and pass-catching are Mailei's strengths as a player, and those abilities got him invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Mailei, however, saw his stock drop a little after he was plagued by the flu at the combine. His 40-yard dash time was slower than expected, clocking in at 4.87. He later redeemed himself, running a 4.70 and a 4.75 at Weber State in front of scouts.
Despite his disappointing 40 time at the combine and the sickness he had while he was there, Mailei said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"I was living it to the fullest, being out there seeing all those (NFL) logos," said Mailei, who had formal interviews with the Jaguars, Dolphins, Chargers, Bengals and Cardinals at the combine. "I was basically living the dream, wide-eyed."
Mailei has consistently worked out six times per week at training facilities in Park City and Layton since the Wildcats wrapped up their 2008 season with a loss to Montana in the FCS playoffs. Mailei has increased his bench-press max to 430 pounds, and he's squatting nearly 600 pounds.
Although those numbers are noteworthy, Mailei is the type of player who's always more impressive in actual games than in drills and speed tests.
"He's going to play a lot of years and last a long time," McBride said. "I've had scouts tell me he's one of the top one or two fullbacks in the country. I haven't seen a better guy on film as far as doing things we asked him to do."
Mailei said teams such as the Falcons, Broncos and Colts have asked him for draft-day info so they can contact him in case they want to select him. Mailei, who if he isn't a late-round selection will undoubtedly get picked up as a free agent, plans on attending church while the latter rounds of the draft are going on.
"My agent (former Utah quarterback Ken Vierra) is not one to fill anyone's head up with stuff he doesn't know," Mailei said. "He's pretty confident I'll get drafted, and he'll be surprised if I don't, and he just kind of left it at that. That's where I've left it in my head, too. I don't want to jump into everything disappointed or bitter. I just want to go in and get things done. I'm just trying to keep cool, with low expectations."
Even if he isn't drafted, Mailei knows his dream of being on an NFL team will soon be realized. He's prepared to play special teams and do whatever it takes to make a pro roster. He can't wait to put on an NFL uniform, something he's dreamed of doing since he was a youngster rooting for players such as Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders and Jerome Bettis.
"It still seems like a dream to me," Mailei said. "I'm just waiting for something to happen. I'm sure it will feel great (wearing an NFL uniform) especially when I look in the mirror. It will mean more than the $50 spent at Fanzz or something (buying an NFL jersey)."
RUNNING BACKS
Local watch: Taufui Vakapuna, BYU
Like Mailei, Vakapuna is a former local high school star (East High) and collegiate contributor who hopes to get selected in the one of the late rounds of the NFL draft. Vakapuna got more chances to carry the ball in college than Mailei, and could be a quality short-yardage back in the NFL.
Top 5:
Player School Ht/Wt
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia 5-10/217
Chris Wells, Ohio State 6-1/235
Donald Brown, Connecticut 5-10/210
LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh 5-10/198
Shonn Greene, Iowa 5-10/227
Sleeper watch: Javon Ringer, Michigan State
Ringer produced for four seasons with the Spartans. He ran for 1,637 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior and left the school as its second-leading rusher of all time. Ringer slipped down draft boards after Knowshon Moreno and Chris Wells declared for the draft, and he could be a mid-round steal.
E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com