3 Ex-UH Players Sign With NFL Teams

By Fred Guzman

It’s a longshot, for sure.  But over the years, more than a few players have beaten the odds to mke their way onto pro football rosters after being passed over in the NFL draft.

That’s the challenge facing three former University of Hawaii football players, who received – and gladly accepted —  invitations to take part in NFL training camps as undrafted free agents.

Offensive lineman Laupepa Letuli will get a shot with the Dallas Cowboys.  Wide receiver Rodney Bradley and safety Mana Silva caught the eyes of the Baltimore Ravens’ scouting department

Earlier, former Baldwin High and Idaho Vandals linebacker JoJo Dickson accepted an invitation to attend camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

They all hope, of course, to land spots on regular-season rosters.  If successful in their respective bids, the rookies would earn minimum annual salaries of $375,000.

Also headed for NFL camps are three other former UH standouts:  running back Alex Green, receiver Greg Salas and receiver Kealoha Pilares.

Green was picked late in the third round by the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.   Salas was chosen midway through the fourth round by the St. Louis Rams.  Pilares was the first pick of the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers.