Fili Moala

Infobox CollegeFootballPlayer
name=Fili Moala

---

width=250px
caption=Moala making the USC "V" for victory sign after a 2008 fall practice
school=USC Trojans
currentnumber=75
currentposition=Defensive tackle
class=Senior
major=Sociology
birthdate=birth date and age|1985|6|23
birthplace=Buena Park, California
heightft=6
heightin=5
weight=305
highlights=
* All-Pac-10 honorable mention (2007)
bowlgames=
* 2008 Rose Bowl
* 2007 Rose Bowl
* 2005 Orange Bowl
highschool=Western High School,
Anaheim, California
pastschools=
* USC Trojans (2004-present)
espn=145164

Fili Moala (born June 23, 1985 in Buena Park, California) is an American football defensive tackles for the USC Trojans. He is considered one of the best defensive tackle prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft.Tony Pauline, [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/draft/2008/04/29/2009.prospects/index.html Never too early: Here's a dozen first-round prospects for '09 draft] , "Sports Illustrated", April 29, 2008, Accessed June 3, 2008.] Todd McShay, [http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/insider/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=3372132&univLogin02=stateChanged Defenders earn four of top five spots in first 2009 mock draft] , ESPN.com, April 29, 2008, Accessed June 3, 2008.] [http://nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=802821 Rivals.com 2009 NFL Mock Draft] , Rivals.com, April 29, 2008, Accessed June 3, 2008.]

Early years

Moala was the only son in a six-child family and was not permitted by his mother to play football until high school; however he did participate in basketball and baseball.Jonathan Kay, [http://usc.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=737552 A Fili for his role] , USCFootball.com, November 10, 2007, Accessed June 3, 2008.] Moala played high school football at Western High School in Anaheim, California. As a senior in 2002 he was a Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West and Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 selection.

College career

Moala originally signed with the University of Southern California in 2003, but did not qualify for admission. He attended Cypress College for one year, but did not play football there, before transferring into USC. During his first year at USC in 2004 he was redshirted. In 2005 he started two games for the Trojans recording eight tackles.

During his sophomore season in 2006, Moala pushed for and eventually won the starting spot, starting the last seven games and received All-Pac-10 honorable mention.Jonathan Kay, [http://usc.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=737552 A Fili for his role] , USCFootball.com, November 10, 2007, Accessed June 3, 2008.] He finished the season with 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. As a junior in 2007 he started all 13 games recording 33 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and was an All-Pac-10 honorable mention.

Entering the 2008 season, Moala began receiving heavy media attention as one of the best defensive linemen going into the season and a potential top-2009 NFL Draft pick in early mock drafts, with ESPN's draft expert Todd McShay naming him a possible first pick.Tony Pauline, [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/draft/2008/04/29/2009.prospects/index.html Never too early: Here's a dozen first-round prospects for '09 draft] , "Sports Illustrated", April 29, 2008, Accessed June 3, 2008.] Matt Hayes, [http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=418949 Ranking the BCS-conference players by position] , "Sporting News", June 2, 2008, Accessed June 3, 2008.] [http://nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=802821 Rivals.com 2009 NFL Mock Draft] , Rivals.com, April 29, 2008, Accessed June 3, 2008.] Todd McShay, [http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/insider/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=3372132&univLogin02=stateChanged Defenders earn four of top five spots in first 2009 mock draft] , ESPN.com, April 29, 2008, Accessed June 3, 2008.]

Personal

Three cousins have played at either Oregon State or Oregon, including Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata.Jonathan Kay, [http://usc.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=737552 A Fili for his role] , USCFootball.com, November 10, 2007, Accessed June 3, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/moala_fili01.html USC Trojans bio]