| Probably the most dominant run-blocker in the draft, Nebraska junior OG
Toniu Fonoti is known for pancake blocks at a position recognized more by the grinding,
mashing players that hold down the spot. But Fonoti, who set a record for pancakes with
the Cornhuskers, is no ordinary guard. The American Samoa native is a powder keg of a man,
groomed in the trade of blocking at an institution synonymous for its power running game.
Fonoti is projected to be the first offensive guard selected April 20 and could be drafted
in the top 15. Q: What do your teammates call you?
A: Max. For Maximus.
Q: Nebraska has a great legacy of offensive linemen. What does that mean to you?
A: It means a lot to me. I didn’t know a lot about the school until I got there.
But now, it’s obvious that this place is known for running the football and the
linemen that help run the football. That is something we take great pride in.
Q: There are a couple of guys here from Hawaii. How big is the sport of American
football on the islands?
A: I don’t know if they really recruit there. They are trying to keep those ties,
but I don’t know about it being a priority.
Q: Who else recruited you?
A: A lot of West Coast schools. Colorado and Oregon and Arizona.
Q: Is it culture shock to go from Samoa to Lincoln, Neb.?
A: A little bit. They mistook me for a native American. I used to have long hair, down
to my shoulders, so people would be like, ‘Oh … That is the biggest Mexican I
have ever seen.’
Q: Do you have a preference at right or left guard?
A: Nebraska put me at left guard because I played there in high school. I don’t
think it is a mobility issue or anything.
Q: How much pride do you take in all of the pancake blocks you had at Nebraska?
A: I take a lot of pride in what I do. It is like a sack for a defensive end. I
don’t talk about it too much. For me, it is a feeling of accomplishment. I did
something; did my job.
Q: Do you know Bears C Olin Kreutz, a Hawaii native?
A: Yeah I know of him. He’s a good guy from what I know.
Q: How big of an accomplishment will it be to you to play in the NFL?
A: It is a major accomplishment. When I was 10 years old, my sister got a scholarship
to Brigham Young of Hawaii. It had been a goal of mine to do the same thing and this is
really a dream to be able to get this far.
Q: How do you relate to guys like Kreutz and Junior Seau?
A: I wouldn’t say I identify with them right now. It would be great to be at that
level and be able to identify with them. It makes a name for Samoa. I followed (Hawaii
native and former Cowboys OL) Mark Tuinei because he was a lineman I guess.
Q: Why are you so big?
A: You’ve got to ask my parents that.
Q: Do you have a preference where you play in the NFL?
A: No, not at all. I mean, it is the same position and the same job no matter what city
or region you are playing in.
To Scouting Combine main page |
