It's not an exaggeration at all to say that no player selected in this year's NFL Draft is more thankful for his chance to play in the NFL than new 49ers defensive back Talanoa Hufanga.
That says a lot, considering how much joy this event brings to many of those selected. But even by draft standards, Hufanga's elation was at a rare level when meeting with 49ers reporters after being chosen in the fifth round (pick 180 overall).
"This is unreal," Hufanga said. "Thank you God so much. This is a blessing, man. Truly I thank God for this opportunity."
Hufanga was a star at USC, winning the Pac-12's Defensive Player of the Year award and the Polynesian College Football Co-Player of the Year award in 2020 after totaling 62 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He was also popular off the field at USC, and it's easy to see why.
"I think I'm just very blessed about being able to play," Hufanga said Saturday. "I am lucky. I did play with three other cousins at USC, which is incredible. When you're on the field with four relatives all on the field at the same time, you've got to cherish that. That makes the game even that much more fun because we get to go and have some fun and talk about the memories when we get home. So, we just try to make the most of these times. I hope you guys understand my passion for this game and this moment that I'm in right now."
Hufanga's appreciation for his situation comes in part from his family's background. His father, Tevita, grew up in much humbler conditions on the island of Tonga, and once Tevita took his son on a trip a few years back to visit the island, Talanoa learned that he shouldn't take the opportunities football presents to him for granted.
"It's just a blessing," Hufanga said. "My family has been through a lot. My dad grew up on an island where he grew up with dirt floors. When you make that transition and I got to see where he grew up and see what it was like, you're grateful for these opportunities and how we can live our life and how I can better our lifestyle as well. That's what drives me. My mom has been there and been my backbone as well, so I have such a great family support system."
Hufanga has had a bit of a bumpy road en route to the NFL himself, mainly due to injuries. Hufanga suffered a broken collarbone on two separate occasions at USC but he held his head high and was able to push through to better days.
"For me, it wasn't really a low moment because I think truly adversity builds who I am," Hufanga said. "You go through some tough times, but you have to be positive. I'm very faith-based and I'm very religious with my family, so God has given me this opportunity. So, whether I'm injured or on the field or off the field, I just try to be a happy, encouraging person and live my life the way God would like me to. So, it does feel good to be happy and be able to play and have fun with my cousins and teammates as well. Trying to make the most of this opportunity is pretty much what I'm just all about."
Once Hufanga's playing days at USC came to an end, he decided to reach out to USC legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Polynesian Football Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu to see if he'd be willing to team up for some training. Polamalu agreed, and since then he's been passing on some wisdom to Hufanga that he can learn from on and off the field.
"Working with Troy is very different. It's a truly unbelievable process. I thank God for it every day," Hufanga said. "I think the most important thing he teaches me is being present in the moment. A lot of things you can get ahead of yourself thinking about the wrong moments and look down the line when you've got to be present in what today has to offer. I really truly try to stand by that. As much as I say it, I actually really try to live by that. So, if I can just be present with my family, be present with you guys when I'm on this call, it means so much to me and I'm just very grateful for this. It's unreal."
Like Polamalu, Hufanga doesn't seem to watch much NFL football. Hufanga has instead been completely focused on his career at USC, which means he doesn't know much about his new team. But he plans on finding out, and there's no doubt he'll appreciate what he finds.
"As much as I wish I knew a bunch, I'm very quiet when it comes to the NFL," Hufanga said. "I think I really didn't know a lot about teams because I was so busy watching USC film and trying to just make the most of that. It's very similar to how Troy, we kind of talk about how our experience was. We just weren't really focused on the next level, we were focused on the present and what we had the offer. Making the transition, I hope to get to know the tradition, the history, and everything about it. I'm just grateful for it and I just want to make the most when I get on the field. I don't know too much of how'll they'll use me; I just hope I can just bring this attitude, a great mindset and go out there and hopefully make plays on and off the field."
In terms of what position Hufanga will wind up at in the long term, right now things seem to be open. That's the way he's been preparing for his career and the way the 49ers want him to approach things as well.
"For me, I just wanted to train to be versatile," Hufanga said. "My college team used me in a very unique way. I played nickel, I played strong safety, dime, field safety, and I played linebacker for a whole game. So for me, in terms of talking to them, I've already talked to the safety coach and stuff and they just wanted to be able to use me in any way they used me in college. I've just got to be open. You have to have an open mind to be versatile. Anyway you can get on the field and be ready for special teams as well. I think that's a big component."
Speaking of special teams, Hufanga has a unique goal along those lines for the coming season. He's not putting the cart before the horse in terms of playing time and is instead coming in with the hope of being the best special teams player he can be.
"This is a big, big statement, but it's something I've always preached -- being a special teams Pro Bowler in my first year is a goal of mine," Hufanga said. "I think a lot of guys get caught into playing right off the bat. So for me, I understand there's a level to it, and I just want to be the best I can possibly be. I'm just grateful for this opportunity man."
The 49ers would like to see him shine on special teams as well, but they also plan on starting out his career at safety.
"Love him at safety. Hits like a linebacker," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday. "His mentality is, he's an old-school badass as we say. So we're excited to get him here, see what he can do on special teams, hope he can earn a role there to start. We'll try him at safety. If he's better at linebacker, that'll eventually happen too, but we're excited to get the football player."
Hufanga's career will be fun to follow, regardless of where he winds up. His personality is infectious, and as was the case at USC, he'll be a favorite in and out of the locker room. And after hearing his reaction to being drafted by the 49ers, he'll undoubtedly be appreciative every step of the way.
"I just want to make the most and cherish these moments," Hufanga said. "These are special. I think a lot of guys can get carried away with dollar signs, but for me it didn't matter. For me, I just wanted the opportunity to get one chance and make the most of it. That's who I am, and that's how I play this game because it's not a matter of money, it's a matter of passion. So, I'm very grateful for this just to be able to play and see a smile on my parents' faces when I step on the field."
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