Taaga Tuulima Walk On Defensive Lineman To NFL Worthy Center

If we have learned anything from Bill Belichick, it's his phrase "stats don't tell everything." That is true but they give you an idea of where to start or at least draw attention to people who might slip under the radar. People such as Taaga Tuulima center for the Rainbow Warriors of Hawaii.

According to 247 sports, Taaga Tuulima walked on to Hawaii as a defensive lineman in 2016. He was a redshirt for two years before taking over as the starting center. Tuulima is still very raw at the position as he has only started the position for three years. Tuulima, not only was the starting center but he played both left and right guard, with some scouting reports listing him as a tackle.

Over the course of 2018 and 2019 Tuulima had over 700 snaps without allowing a single sack. Tuulima would finish his college career with 1231 snaps without allowing a single snap. According to PFF, "that was 280 more snaps than the nearest player." 

PFF Also reported that during the 2020 season, Taaga Tuulima "only allowed 4 pressures." That's pretty impressive for a guy who's only been playing on the offensive line for three years. Tuulima brought his pass blocking grade up to 88.4.

The downside to Tuulima is his run blocking. Taaga finished 2020 with a run blocking grade of 50.9. With how well he blocks in the passing game, any team would be wise to have him sit for a couple of years and develop. 

That's where the Patriots come into play.  The Patriots are expected to resign the former undrafted free agent and starting center, 28 year old David Andrews. Andrews is one of the best starting centers in the NFL but he missed the entire 2019 season with blood clots, a problem that could always return.  Letting Tuulima sit and study behind Andrews would go a long way, especially since the Patriots no longer have the offensive line guru coaching the position.

Tuulima enteded 2020 ranked as the 48th best offensive lineman in the mountain west coming after Hawaii tackle Lavao and Manning. Drafttek ranks Tuulima the 10th best center in the draft, while the Great Blue North ranks him 23rd. Although he impressed at the New Mexico and Hula Bowl, he's still projected as an undrafted free agent.

I have conferred with others and it's pretty much unanimous that his upside as a pass blocker is too valuable for him not to have a day three pick spent on him. One person I spoke to brought up that he was "playing D1 talent". That's not even an arguement I would've made but Hawaii is a division one school, even if conference bowl game rules almost but certain eliminate Hawaii from ever playing for a national championship.  Hopefully Belichick and not Nick Cesario or Brian Flores end up with this Rainbow Warrior.