- Mike Iupati
-
Mike Iupati 
Iupati at 49ers training camp in August 2010No. 77 San Francisco 49ers Guard Personal information Date of birth: May 12, 1987 Place of birth: American Samoa Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Weight: 331 lb (150 kg) Career information College: Idaho NFL Draft: 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17 Debuted in 2010 for the San Francisco 49ers Career history - San Francisco 49ers (2010–present)
Roster status: Active Career highlights and awards Career NFL statistics as of Week 10, 2011 Games played 25 Games started 25 Fumble recoveries 0 Stats at NFL.com Michael Iupati (pronounced /(iː)juːˈpɑːti/ (ee-)ew-pah-tee; born May 12, 1987) is an American football guard for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. A native of American Samoa, Iupati was raised in Garden Grove, California, and played college football at Idaho. He was selected 17th overall by the 49ers in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Contents
High school career
Iupati attended Western High School in Anaheim, California, where he began playing football under the guidance of Odell Harrington, the school's half-Samoan football coach.[1] His first chances to play came in his sophomore year, when senior Fili Moala injured his foot two games into the season.[2] Playing lineman on both sides of the ball, Iupati received all-state and all-conference honors and served as a team captain. As a junior, he had 80 tackles and 12 sacks and earned a first team All-CIF selection. He also competed in wrestling and track.
Considered only a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com,[3][4] Iupati was not ranked among the best offensive lineman prospects in the nation. Further he struggled academically, caused by a language barrier, as English is his second language.[1] Not having a high enough SAT score or sufficient grades, Iupati was planning to attend junior college until Johnny Nansen saw him in 2005, at a junior college's barbecue hosted for potential recruits. Nansen, then an assistant at Idaho under head coach Nick Holt, offered him a spot with the Vandals the next day and spent considerable time trying to convince Iupati and his family that the WAC school on the Palouse was a better choice than junior college.[1]
College career
Iupati in November 2009
Because of his academic problems, Iupati was ineligible to play and therefore unable to receive a scholarship or financial aid. His family took out a loan to pay out-of-state tuition and room and board for his first year.[1] He joined the Vandals football team in 2006, Iupati saw action in a backup role as a redshirt freshman under head coach Dennis Erickson. As a sophomore in 2007, he started all 12 games at left guard and became an impact player on the line for the struggling Vandals, under first-year head coach Robb Akey.
Iupati had off-season shoulder surgery and did not return to the lineup until the third game of the 2008 season. He went on to start eight of the 10 games in which he played. He earned second team All-WAC recognition in his junior year.[5] For the 2009 season, Iupati was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award.[6][7] He was listed at No. 9 on Rivals.com′s preseason interior lineman power ranking.[8]
During the 2009 season, Iupati started all 12 games at left guard, played 807 snaps and had 49 knockdowns and 21 pancake blocks. He did not allow a quarterback sack and just five defensive players he has blocked have even pressured quarterbacks Nathan Enderle or Brian Reader.[9] He helped the Vandals record their first winning season since 1999,[10] and their first bowl game win since 1998, as they beat the Bowling Green Falcons 43–42 in the Humanitarian Bowl.[11]
On November 24, 2009, Iupati was named one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, alongside Russell Okung and winner Ndamukong Suh.[12] Iupati was a consensus 2009 All-American and also named first team All-WAC.[13][14] He was the first Idaho Vandal to receive All-American honors since Jerry Kramer in 1957 (honorable mention),[9] and the first All-American from the WAC since Ryan Clady in 2007.[14]
Professional career
2010 NFL Draft
Iupati was considered one of the best offensive guard prospects available in the 2010 NFL Draft.[15] According to several scouts he projected as a late first or early second round selection.[1] The Sporting News′ Russ Lande reported that "nearly every scout who has evaluated Iupati on film says he has the footwork and athleticism to be an NFL left tackle."[16] According to Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline Iupati was "the highest-rated guard since Steve Hutchinson," whom the Seattle Seahawks selected with the 17th pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.[17]
To prepare for the NFL Combine, Iupati relocated to Irvine and worked with former NFL lineman Jackie Slater at least four days a week, at both guard and tackle.[10][18] By the time of the combine, Iupati was ranked as high as 15th best player overall on several draft boards as well as the only guard projected to go in the first two rounds by NFLDraftScout.com.[19] Though Iupati only scored a 13 on the Wonderlic intelligence test,[20] it didn't stop the San Francisco 49ers from selecting Iupati in the 1st round with the 17th pick overall. He is the highest selected Idaho Vandal since Ray McDonald went 13th overall to the Washington Redskins in the 1967 NFL Draft.[21]
Pre-draft measureables Ht Wt Arm length Hand size 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP Wonderlic 6 ft 5⅛ in 331 lb 34¾ in 10⅝ in 5.26 s 1.84 s 3.01 s 4.93 s 7.85 s 27½ in 7 ft 8 in 27 rep 13 All values from NFL combine[22][23] San Francisco 49ers
On July 30, Iupati signed with the 49ers and reportedly received a five-year contract worth $18.25 million with $10.8 million guaranteed.[24] He has worked with the 49ers' first-string offense at left guard since David Baas was injured in training camp.[2]
Iupati had a strong start to the 2010 season, not committing a penalty, or allowing a sack until Week 5.[citation needed] He made valuable contributions to the 49ers' running game, delivering downfield blocks.[25][26] ESPN's Mike Sandos selected Iupati to his 2010 All-NFC West Team,[27] while the Pro Football Writers Association named him one of their 2010 NFL All-Rookie selections.[28]
Personal
Mike Iupati is the son of Aposetolo and Belinda Iupati. He has two brothers and one sister. His younger brother Andrew plays defensive tackle for the Oregon Ducks.[29]
Born and raised on American Samoa, Iupati's family moved to Garden Grove, California, after he had finished junior high school.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Jezierny, Nick (November 11, 2009), "Vandals' Iupati is a 'goofy kid,' NFL prospect", Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com/VANDALSPORTS/story/968658.html
- ^ a b Barrows, Matthew (August 9, 2010). "49ers rookie Mike Iupati has shown he's a quick learner". Sacramento Bee. http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/09/2945736/49ers-rookie-mike-iupati-has-shown.html.
- ^ "Mike Iupati Recruiting Profile", Rivals.com, http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=29852
- ^ "Mike Iupati Recruiting Profile", Scout.com, http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=1211892
- ^ Five Vandals earn all-WAC honors, December 1, 2008, http://www.govandals.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87195&SPID=10352&DB_OEM_ID=17100&ATCLID=3625994
- ^ Richardson, Steve (August 11, 2009), 2009 Outland Trophy Watch List Announced, Football Writers Association of America, http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2009/outland090811.html
- ^ Haptonstall, Clark (August 18, 2009), Rotary Lombardi Award Announces Watch List, http://www.rotarylombardiaward.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=95&Itemid=56
- ^ Buchanan, Olin; Dienhart, Tom; Fox, David; Huguenin, Mike; Megargee, Steve (August 22, 2009), "Preseason interior lineman power rankings", Rivals.com, http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=978903
- ^ a b Fox, Tom (December 29, 2009), "Changing of the guard", Idaho Press-Tribune, http://www.idahopress.com/sports/?id=28840
- ^ a b Jezierny, Nick (December 29, 2009), "H-Bowl: It's been a whirlwind journey for Idaho's Iupati", Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/story/1023533.html
- ^ Booth, Tim (December 30, 2009), "Idaho Stuns Bowling Green 43-42 in H-Bowl", ABC News, http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=9452010
- ^ Griffin, Tom (November 24, 2009), "Okung, Suh named Outland Trophy finalists", ESPN, http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/14004/okung-suh-named-outland-trophy-finalists
- ^ "Idaho football has 11 players honored", Idaho Press-Tribune Staff, December 9, 2009, http://www.idahopress.com/sports/?id=28386
- ^ a b "Iupati is Vandals' first FBS consensus All-American", Idaho Statesman, December 18, 2009, http://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/story/1013822.html
- ^ Brandt, Gil (July 2009), "Idaho's Iupti, Texas' Hall top 2010 draft interior OL prospects", NFL.com, http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8112f2a3
- ^ Lande, Russ (December 29, 2009), "Bowl draft prospects: Ross, Iupati strive to join Suh in first round", Sporting News, http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-12-29/bowl-draft-prospects-ross-iupati-strive-join-suh-first-round
- ^ Pauline, Tony (February 23, 2010), "Ndamukong Suh, Eric Berry headline pre-combine NFL draft board", Sports Illustrated, http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/02/23/combine.45/.
- ^ Arkush, Dan (February 25, 2010), "Idaho's Iupati provides guarded optimism", Pro Football Weekly, http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/02/25/idahos-iupati-provides-guarded-optimism-2[dead link].
- ^ Davis, Nate (February 25, 2010), "Idaho's Mike Iupati could be most versatile find in NFL draft", USA Today, http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2010-02-25-mike-iupati_N.htm.
- ^ McGinn, Bob (February 25, 2010), "Packers may get offensive lineman they need in NFL draft", Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/85445307.html
- ^ "Iupati becomes second highest pick ever from Idaho", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 22, 2010, http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_fbc_idaho_iupati.html[dead link].
- ^ "Mike Iupati Combine Profile", NFL.com, http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/mike--iupati?id=497016, retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Mike Iupati Draft Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=73948&draftyear=2010&genpos=OG.
- ^ "Former Idaho star Mike Iupati signs with 49ers". Idaho Statesman. July 31, 2010. http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/07/31/1286960/mike-iupati-signs-with-49ers.html.
- ^ Brown, Daniel (September 22, 2010). "49ers offensive line aims to build on strong showing". San Jose Mercury News. http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_16149200?nclick_check=1.
- ^ White, David (September 25, 2010). "49ers offensive line's swagger makes difference". San Francisco Chronicle. http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-09-25/sports/24096974_1_offensive-line-performance-49ers-pro-bowler-season-opener.
- ^ Sando, Mike (January 24, 2011). "2010 All-NFC West Offense". ESPN. http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post?id=32125.
- ^ Coghlan, Ed (January 18, 2011). "Mike Iupati Makes All NFL Rookie Team, Univ of Idaho to San Fran 49ers". News Hawk Review. http://newshawksreview.com/mike-iupati-makes-all-nfl-rookie-team-univ-of-idaho-to-san-fran-49ers/42153/.
- ^ Andrew Iupati profile at Oregon
External links
Practice roster 13 Joe Hastings | 23 Cory Nelms | 28 Ian Johnson | 33 Xavier Omon | 50 Monte Simmons | 61 Chase Beeler | 71 Derek Hall | 88 Konrad Reuland
Inactive List 9 Dontavia Bogan | 41 Curtis Holcomb | 57 Keaton Kristick | 63 Will Tukuafu | 82 Nate Byham | 84 Josh Morgan
Offense QB Colt McCoy | RB Toby Gerhart | RB Mark Ingram | WR Golden Tate | WR Jordan Shipley | TE Dennis Pitta
OT Russell Okung | OT Trent Williams | G Mike Johnson | G Mike Iupati | C Maurkice PounceyDefense DE Jerry Hughes | DT Ndamukong Suh | DT Terrence Cody | DT Gerald McCoy
LB Rolando McClain | LB Greg Jones | LB Brandon Spikes
CB Joe Haden | CB Javier Arenas | S Eric Berry | S Earl ThomasSpecial teams 2010 NFL Draft First Round Selections Sam Bradford · Ndamukong Suh · Gerald McCoy · Trent Williams · Eric Berry · Russell Okung · Joe Haden · Rolando McClain · C. J. Spiller · Tyson Alualu · Anthony Davis · Ryan Mathews · Brandon Graham · Earl Thomas · Jason Pierre-Paul · Derrick Morgan · Mike Iupati · Maurkice Pouncey · Sean Weatherspoon · Kareem Jackson · Jermaine Gresham · Demaryius Thomas · Bryan Bulaga · Dez Bryant · Tim Tebow · Dan Williams · Devin McCourty · Jared Odrick · Kyle Wilson · Jahvid Best · Jerry Hughes · Patrick RobinsonSan Francisco 49ers first-round draft picks Nomellini • Tittle • McElhenny • Babcock • Stolhandske • Faloney • Moegle • Morrall • Brodie • Pace • Krueger • Baker • James • Stickles • Johnson • Casey • Kilmer • Alworth • Alexander • Parks • Willard • Donnelly • Hindman • Spurrier • Banaszek • Blue • Kwalick • G. Washington • Hardman • Taylor • Anderson • Beasley • Holmes • Jackson • Sandifer • Webb • MacAfee • Bunz • Cooper • Stuckey • Lott • Shell • Rice • Barton • Flagler • DeLong • D. Carter • T. Washington • Hall • Stubblefield • Kelly • Young • Floyd • Stokes • Druckenmiller • McQuarters • McGrew • Peterson • Plummer • A. Carter • Rumph • Harris • Woods • Alex Smith • V. Davis • Lawson • Willis • Staley • Balmer • Crabtree • A. Davis • Iupati • Aldon SmithCategories:- 1987 births
- Living people
- All-American college football players
- San Francisco 49ers players
- Idaho Vandals football players
- American football offensive guards
- People from Anaheim, California
- American people of Samoan descent
- Players of American football from California
- Players of American football from American Samoa
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