22-04-2025
Jonah Savaiinaea & others w/ Hawaii ties eagerly await NFL Draft
It's officially NFL Draft week, and for several players with ties to the islands, the next few days could mark the beginning of a dream come true.
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place Thursday through Saturday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with seven rounds of selections. Among those with Hawai'i roots hoping to hear their name called is Waimanalo native and former Arizona All-American wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan — the only local product invited to attend the draft ceremony in person. McMillan is projected by many analysts as a potential top-10 pick.
Joining McMillan in the conversation as one of the top prospects out of the University of Arizona is Saint Louis School alumnus Jonah Savaiinaea. The standout offensive tackle, who served as a team captain for the Wildcats, is projected to be selected in the second or third round.
In an interview with KHON2 Sports' Mitch Riberal, Savaiinaea reflected on the journey and the emotional weight of the process, which included dozens of interviews with NFL organizations in recent weeks.
'So blessed and so grateful for this opportunity — for teams to get to know me, not just as a player but as a person,' Savaiinaea said. 'It's been stressful, but at the end of the day, it's been a blessing.'
The 6-foot-5, 330-pound lineman spoke about taking time to embrace the moment during the combine.
'After each event, I'd sit on the bleachers and think, 'Wow, I just did it.' I watched this growing up, and now I've lived it,' he said. 'I'm just soaking it all in and enjoying it while taking it one day at a time.'
Savaiinaea, McMillan, and Mililani native Dillon Gabriel — a Heisman-contending quarterback during his collegiate career — were the only three from Hawai'i invited to the NFL Combine.
But they're not the only names to watch.
Former University of Hawai'i standouts Cam Stone (DB) and Brayden Schager (QB) are also in the mix, hoping to land opportunities either in the draft or as undrafted free agents. Other hopefuls include Kaiser alum and former UH/San Jose State kicker Kyler Halvorsen, former Saint Louis and UH receiver Jonah Panoke, and ex-UH offensive lineman Luke Felix-Fualalo.
The first round of the NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, with rounds two and three set for Friday, and the final four rounds scheduled for Saturday.
Stay with KHON2 Sports for continuing coverage of all local prospects throughout draft weekend.
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