Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch spoke with defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa after a win over Stanford in Pullman, Wash., on Nov. 4. Associated Press photo.
Hercules Mata‘afa, the former Lahainaluna Lunas star, tweeted Sunday that he is declaring for the NFL Draft.
Mata‘afa, a defensive tackle for Washington State, will skip his senior season with the Cougars. He was a consensus All-American and finished as a semifinalist for the Bednariki and Watler Camp Awaards.
“I’ve decided to forego my senior year … to pursue a dream I’ve had since I was a kid,” he wrote on Twitter. “I have had an incredible journey at WSU and I couldn’t be more grateful for the coaches, teammates, fans, friends, community and family who have helped me along the way.”
Another local boy going NFL.
Awesome job!
Congratulatons Hercules! Maui No Ka Oi!
Falk Yeah, Go Cougs!