Alualu was considered a top prospect as a prep and made an immediate impression upon arriving in the Pac-10. He stepped into the rotation as a true freshman, playing in every game, earning his first start and finishing with 16 tackles on the year.

He began a streak of 38 consecutive starts as a true sophomore, leading the Golden Bears with 52 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. His career-high 62 tackles was the highest single-season total by a Cal defensive lineman since current Washington Redskin Andre Carter posted 60 in 2000. Despite facing constant double-teams, Alaalu matched Carter's 60 as a senior, picking up 10 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks to finally earn first-team All-Pac-10 recognition.

Quick, strong and passionate, Alualu's production is even more impressive considering he played defensive end in the 3-4 alignment -- a position typically defined as a block-consuming, role-playing spot more than a stat-producing position. Scouts believe Alualu's numbers would be even more impressive if he were playing in a 4-3 defense. He appears better suited to be a "three technique" defensive tackle.

Had Alaalu played in the Big Ten or SEC, more would know his name. Considering the impressive career he had at California, don't expect scouts to forget to include him among the Top 50 selections come April.

Has played in all 51 games possible with 39 starts over the last four seasons, including a run of 38 consecutive starts, making 188 tackles to go along with 24.5 TFL (-130 yards), 17.0 sacks (-111 yards), seven passes defended, four fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, a blocked kick and an interception.

It was Alualu, the defensive tackle from California, and not celebrated teammate Jahvid Best, who was the school's first player to be picked on Round One of Thursday's NFL draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars busted up all those mock drafts when they made Alualu the 10th pick, and the first Pac-10 player to be chosen.

Twenty picks later, the Detroit Lions swung a trade with Minnesota that enabled them to give Best a call at No. 30 to inform him he'll be coming to the Motor City.

It marked the first time since 2003 that Cal had two players chosen on the first round. That year, quarterback Kyle Boller went 19th to Baltimore while the Raiders tabbed cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha at 31; the two are now teammates in Oakland.

In Detroit, Best will be part of a rebuilding effort under second-year coach Jim Schwarz. The fastest running back at the combine (4.34 seconds for 40 yards), Best will be taking handoffs and catching passes from last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Matthew Stafford.

There was some concern Best would fall to today's second round because of injuries, including a fall against Oregon State that ended his 2009 with a concussion and sore back.

In nine games last year Best rushed for 867 yards with a 6.1-yard average and scored 12 rushing touchdowns. He also had four receiving touchdowns.

"I'm so happy for him," Alualu said of his teammate. "He was definitely a steal. He belongs in the top five."

Speaking in a conference call from his home in Hawaii, the deeply religious Alualu seemed humbled to have been chosen as high as he was and before Best at that.

"I was just sitting around and got a phone call," the 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle said. "I was with my family, watching here. It's crazy how it worked out. I was shocked. Words can't explain."

Actually, it's easy to explain. After an outstanding senior season for the Bears, in which he notched 11 1/2 tackles for losses and 7 1/2 sacks, Alualu went to the scouting combine in Indianapolis and excelled at the "Underwear Olympics."

He showed up in top shape at 295 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.87 seconds, pumped out 21 reps at 225 pounds on the bench press and had a vertical leap of 35 1/2 inches.

"The combine definitely helped me a lot," Alualu said. "The combine was a chance to showcase my ability and show what kind of athlete I am."

The Jaguars had told Alualu of their interest in him as an interior down lineman in their 4-3 defense. Still, hearing his name was a shock.

"The No. 10 pick overall comes with high expectations," he said. "I want to work hard to show I am worthy."




Tags: tyson alualu, jaguars, jacksonville jaguars, mike iupati, ryan matthews, nfl draft 2010