Hercules Mata'afa

Last updated

Hercules Mata'afa
No. 51
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1995-09-18) September 18, 1995 (age 29)
Lahaina, Hawaii, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:252 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school: Lahainaluna (Lahaina)
College: Washington State
Undrafted: 2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:25
Sacks:2.5
Fumble recoveries:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Hercules Mata'afa (born September 18, 1995) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars, earning consensus All-American honors in 2017. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018.

Contents

College career

Mata'afa attended and played college football at Washington State. [1] [2] As a junior in 2017, Mata'afa was a consensus All-American and was named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. [3] [4] [5] He was also named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press . [6] On December 31, 2017, Mata'afa declared his intentions to enter the 2018 NFL draft. [7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+1⁄4 in
(1.89 m)		254 lb
(115 kg)		31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		4.76 s1.64 s2.76 s4.37 s7.24 s31.5 in
(0.80 m)		9 ft 0 in
(2.74 m)		26 reps
All values from NFL Combine [8] [9]

Minnesota Vikings

Mata'afa signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018. [10] However, on June 6, he suffered a season-ending injury to his ACL. [11] He was waived/injured on June 20, 2018, and was placed on injured reserve after clearing waivers. [12] He was signed back to the Vikings for the 2019 preseason. He managed to make the final roster coming out of training camp. On September 15, 2019, in his NFL debut, he recovered an Aaron Rodgers fumble in a loss to the Packers. [13]

Mata'afa was waived by the Vikings on October 13, 2020, [14] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later. [15] He was elevated to the active roster on October 31 for the team's Week 8 game against the Green Bay Packers, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. [16] He was promoted to the active roster on November 6, 2020. [17]

On August 31, 2021, Mata'afa was waived by the Vikings. [18]

Washington Football Team

The Washington Football Team signed Mata'afa to their practice squad on December 14, 2021. [19] He was released on December 22.

Jacksonville Jaguars

On December 28, 2021, Mata'afa was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, but was released six days later. [20]

New Jersey Generals

Mata'afa signed with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League on May 19, 2022. [21] He re-signed with the Generals on October 11, 2023. [22] The Generals folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL). [23]

Birmingham Stallions

On January 5, 2024, Mata'afa was selected by the Birmingham Stallions during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft. [24] He signed with the team on February 28. [25] He was released on March 10, 2024. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shalom Luani</span> Samoan American football player (born 1994)

Shalom Luani is an American football safety who is a free agent. He has also represented American Samoa in soccer, having scored against Tonga in American Samoa's first-ever win in FIFA-sanctioned play. Luani, who played as a forward, scored twice for American Samoa in November 2011, making him the country's joint–top goalscorer of all time with fellow forward Ramin Ott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Orchard</span> American football player (born 1993)

Nathaniel Fakahafua Orchard is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins / Football Team, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabe Wright</span> American football player (born 1992)

Gabriel Alexander Wright is an American professional football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Auburn and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tye Smith</span> American football player (born 1993)

Tye Smith is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Towson University and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, Orlando Guardians, and Memphis Showboats.

Robert Myers is an American professional football guard. He played college football at Tennessee State, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

William Earl Saxton Jr. is an American football tight end for the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at South Alabama. He has also been a member of the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL); Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF); St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL; and New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Battle</span> American football player (born 1993)

Isaiah Battle is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL supplemental draft after playing college football at Clemson.

Roderick L. "Toby" Johnson Jr. is an American football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Georgia after two years at Hutchinson Community College and was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent after the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teez Tabor</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jalen "Teez" Tabor is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida, and was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.

Trae Elston is an American football safety who is a free agent. The All-American played college football at Mississippi. Elston was a member of the 2017 Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Brailford</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jordan L. Brailford is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football at Oklahoma State and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Ekuale</span> Somoan American football player (born 1994)

Tanielu "Daniel" Ekuale is a Samoan American football defensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Willekes</span> American football player (born 1997)

Kenny Willekes is an American professional football defensive end for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Michigan State, and was three times named to the All-Big Ten team. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 NFL draft.

Garrett McGhin is an American football guard for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at East Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaylen Twyman</span> American football player (born 1999)

Jaylen Guy Twyman is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

DeMarquis Larenz Gates is an American professional football linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Orr (American football)</span> American football player (born 1997)

Chris Orr is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the linebackers coach for Jackson State. He played for the Wisconsin Badgers in college and for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He also played for the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL).

Tyshun Scott Render is an American football defensive end for the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Middle Tennessee.

Jaryd Emanuel Jones-Smith is an American professional football guard who is a free agent. He played college football at Pittsburgh and has been a member of teams in the National Football League (NFL), Alliance of American Football (AAF), XFL, and United Football League (UFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Rountree III</span> American football player (born 1999)

Larry Rountree III is an American professional football running back for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Missouri.

References

  1. ↑ "Hercules Mata'afa - Football". Washington State University Athletics. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  2. ↑ Woods, Greg (August 12, 2023). "Former WSU star Hercules Mata'afa's family raising money for loss of home in Hawaii". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  3. ↑ Lawson, Theo (December 12, 2017). "Hercules Mata'afa becomes Washington State's first consensus All-American DL in 15 years". Spokesman-Review. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  4. ↑ Loh, Stefanie (December 12, 2017). "WSU's Hercules Mata'afa named Polynesian College Football Player of the Year; also becomes consensus All-American". Seattle Times. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  5. ↑ Lawson, Theo (December 12, 2017). "Washington State defensive tackle Hercules Mata'afa named Polynesian Player of the Year". Spokesman-Review. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  6. ↑ "WSU's Mata'afa named AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of Year". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Associated Press. December 11, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  7. ↑ Nusser, Jeff (December 31, 2017). "Hercules Mata'afa declares for NFL Draft". CougCenter. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Hercules Mata'afa Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  9. ↑ "2018 Draft Scout Hercules Mataafa, Washington State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Vikings Agree to Terms with Undrafted Free Agents". Vikings.com. April 30, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
  11. ↑ Krammer, Andrew (June 6, 2018). "Vikings rookie defensive end Mata'afa tears ACL in practice". StarTribune.com. StarTribune. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  12. ↑ Ratke, Kyle (June 21, 2018). "Vikings sign LB Mike Needham". Vikings Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – September 15th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Hercules Mata'afa: Waived by Minnesota". CBSSports.com. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  15. ↑ Krammer, Andrew (October 15, 2020). "Vikings re-sign defensive tackle Hercules Mata'afa to practice squad". StarTribune.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Vikings Activate Dantzler From Reserve / COVID-19 List, Announce Other Roster Moves". Vikings.com. October 31, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Vikings Place CB Mark Fields on Reserve/Injured; Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. November 6, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Vikings Announce Roster Moves to Get to Initial 53". Vikings.com. August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  19. ↑ Selby, Zach (December 14, 2021). "Washington signs Nate Orchard, adds Hercules Mata'afa to the practice squad". WashingtonFootball.com. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Roster Moves: Jaguars place 3 more on Reserve/COVID-19 list, sign 2 to active roster & more". Jaguars.com. December 28, 2021. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  21. ↑ @USFLGenerals (May 19, 2022). "Roster Updates" (Tweet). Retrieved May 23, 2022– via Twitter.
  22. ↑ @USFLGenerals (October 11, 2023). "Free Agent Signings" (Tweet). Retrieved October 11, 2023– via Twitter.
  23. ↑ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  24. ↑ "2024 UFL Team Rosters". TheUFL.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  25. ↑ "UFL Player Transactions, Wednesday February 28, 2024". UFLBoard.com. February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  26. ↑ "UFL Teams Set their Training Camp Rosters to 58". UFLBoard.com. March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.