Moliki Matavao

Last updated

Moliki Matavao
No. 80 – New Orleans Saints
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (2003-03-17) March 17, 2003 (age 22) [1]
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school: Liberty (Henderson, Nevada)
College: Oregon (2021–2022)
UCLA (2023–2024)
NFL draft: 2025: 7th round, 248th pick
Career history
Roster status:Active
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Moliki Faatui Matavao (born March 17, 2003) [1] is an American professional football tight end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and UCLA Bruins. Matavao was selected by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life and high school

Matavao attended Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada, and was rated as a four-star recruit. [2] He committed to play college football for the Oregon Ducks over offers from Georgia, Penn State, and UCLA. [3]

College career

Oregon

As a freshman in 2021, Matavao recorded nine receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown for Oregon. [4] In 2022, he totaled ten receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a touchdown on the ground. [4] After the 2022 season, Matavao entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [4]

UCLA

Matavao transferred to play for the UCLA Bruins. [5] In 2023, he hauled in 14 receptions for 266 yards and two touchdowns. [6] In week 12, Matavao tallied seven receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown versus Washington. [7] In the 2024 regular-season finale, Matavao notched eight receptions for 120 yards versus Fresno State. [8]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 5+5⁄8 in
(1.97 m)		260 lb
(118 kg)		32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m)		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		4.81 s1.60 s2.84 s32.5 in
(0.83 m)		9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)
All values from NFL Combine [9] [10]

Matavao was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 248th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft. [11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Moliki Matavao Tight End UCLA". nfldraftbuzz.com. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  2. ↑ Nemec, Andrew (May 27, 2020). "Moliki Matavao, nation's No. 4 tight end, commits to Oregon Ducks". OregonLive.com. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  3. ↑ Alger, Tyson (July 9, 2020). "With two 4-star commits, Oregon is building something at tight end". The Athletic. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Crepea, James. "Oregon Ducks tight end Moliki Matavao enters transfer portal". OregonLive.com. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  5. ↑ Champion, Aidan. "UCLA Senior Gets His Flowers for Stellar Season Finale Performance". UCLA Bruins on SI. SI.com. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  6. ↑ Minchella, Dominic. "UCLA Senior Tight End Having Career Year". UCLA Bruins on SI. SI.com. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  7. ↑ Schmidt, Matthew. "UCLA's Unheralded Star Making Serious NFL Draft Case". UCLA Bruins on SI. SI.com. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  8. ↑ Cavanaugh, Tom. "Bruins Senior Turns in Best Performance in Final Career Game". UCLA Bruins on SI. SI.com. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Moliki Matavao Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Moliki Matavao College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  11. ↑ "New Orleans Saints 2025 NFL Draft day three notes". NewOrleansSaints.com. April 26, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
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