Mike Iupati

Idaho Vandals — No. 77
Offensive guard	Senior
Major: General Studies
Date of birth: May 12, 1987 (1987-05-12) (age 22)
Place of birth: American Samoa
Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	Weight: 330 lb (150 kg)
Career history
High school: Western High School, Anaheim, California
College(s): University of Idaho (2006–present)
Career highlights and awards
2009 All-American (AFCA) 2008 Second Team All-WAC
Stats at CBS Sportsline.com

Michael Iupati (born May 12, 1987) is an American football offensive lineman. He currently attends the University of Idaho in his senior year. Iupati currently plays as guard and is considered a potential prospect at his position for the 2010 NFL Draft.^[1][2]

Contents 1 High school career 2 College career 3 Professional career 4 Personal 5 References 6 External links

[edit] 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.^[3] 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 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,^[4][5] Iupati was not ranked among the best offensive lineman prospects in the nation. Further he struggled academically, caused by a language barrier, as English was only his second language.^[3] Not having a high enough SAT score or sufficient grades, Iupati eyed junior college until then-Idaho assistant Johnny Nansen saw him at a barbecue in 2005 that a junior college was putting on for potential recruits. Nansen offered him a spot at Idaho the next day and spent considerable time trying to convince Iupati and his family that the school was a better route than junior college.^[3]

[edit] College career

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.^[3] Finally joining the Vandals football team in 2006, Iupati saw action in a backup role as a redshirt freshman. As a sophomore in 2007 he started all 12 games at left guard and became in impact player on the line for the Vandals.

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.^[6] For the 2009 season, Iupati was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award.^[7][8] He was listed at No. 9 on Rivals.com′s preseason interior lineman power ranking.^[2]

On November 24, 2009, Iupati was named one of three finalists for the 2009 Outland Trophy, alongside Russell Okung and Ndamukong Suh.^[9]

[edit] Professional career

Iupati is considered one of the best offensive guard prospects available in the 2010 NFL Draft.^[1] According to several scouts he projects as a late first or early second round selection.^[3]

[edit] Personal

Mike Iupati is the son of Aposetola and Belinda Iupati. He has two brothers and one sister. His younger brother Andrew plays defensive tackle for the Oregon Ducks.

Born and raised on American Samoa, Iupati's family moved to Garden Grove, California, after he had finished junior high school.^[3]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Idaho Vandals Official Bio