“Back In Samoa We Were Neighbors”
May 8th, 2015
Bucs seventh-round pick, fullback prospect Joey Iosefa.
Call Joe a wiseass, but Joe had to ask new Bucs fullback Joey Iosefa from the University of Hawaii whether he knew Marcus Mariota.
Yeah, Hawaii is a big place, and Mariota played for the University of Oregon, but it was worth a shot.
It turns out, Iosefa, an American Samoan native, and Mariota’s (part-Samoan) family were neighbors in his Polynesian village.
“He grew up in Hawaii when I grew up in Samoa but he always came down to visit. I knew him when we were like fifth grade, sixth grade. When I came college, I knew his dad very well.”
NFL fans know the amazing history of American Samoan players. If not, Google is your friend.
Iosefa pointed out that it is rare, though, for an offensive player to come from Samoa — he was recruited to Hawaii as a linebacker — so there’s a little more excitement surround him back home.
One thing Bucs fans will like about Iosefa. He said the island tradition is to deliver bone-crushing hits, so he relishes his chance to play special teams, something he did in college.
May 8th, 2015 at 4:55 pm
That MF looks crazy! In a good way!
May 8th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Break some bones my guy.
May 8th, 2015 at 6:32 pm
The Hawaiian Hammer!!
May 8th, 2015 at 6:54 pm
Hopefully if the guy makes the roster you’ll find a different picture to use 🙂
May 8th, 2015 at 7:59 pm
Love the pick, we need more crazy on the roster. If you haven’t already you should check out his highlight the kid is a bruiser. All aboard the I-train.
May 8th, 2015 at 9:45 pm
we are pretty deep at RB but I think this pick was about upgrading special teams. Maybe better in that phase than mike James or some other RB3 or RB4 who won’t see many touches on offense
May 8th, 2015 at 10:04 pm
He’s a FB not a RB and his play is accordingly aggressive, I’m more interested in his blocking skills than anything but I love the Samoan warrior look he’s got to him. Should be especially good for second or third and short situations.
May 8th, 2015 at 10:18 pm
Hawaiian Punch coming through!!
May 8th, 2015 at 10:56 pm
“Iosefa pointed out that it is rare, though, for an offensive player to come from Samoa”
So true, remember how the Bucs wasted their 1984 first rounder on a trade with the Bungles for Jack Thompson? I think it was a high pick too, like 2nd overall as the Bucs were 2-14 in 1983, just like 2014…. But back tp what Gulfcoaast said about Hawaiin punch; the kid should revive that old TV commercial where the guy in the Hawaiin shirt gets socked by the juice guy….
May 9th, 2015 at 6:44 am
Hopefully his play speed is somewhat better than his 5.0+ Combine clocking and a little more, if not faster than his Pro Day 4.80. Even at 4.80, him helping on special teams coverage units doesn’t seem likely. I would’ve thought taking a flyer on a certain LSU OT that may or may not be involved with a certain murder would have had a far greater chance of success than on a FB that can’t run and has only played FB sparingly. I like Iosefa, but he’s been hurt most of the last two seasons, he has played very little FB, and he may be way too slow for the NFL.
May 10th, 2015 at 5:14 am
What was Alstott 40 yard time, as a rookie? That’s right a 4.66. Blazing speed!