Former BYU fullback Manase Tonga has chance to turn his NFL dream into reality

OREM — He's not coming from nowhere.

This time last year, Manase Tonga was out of shape, unsure if he'd play his senior year of college at BYU, and very confused as to whether he'd ever reach his dream of playing in the NFL.

But today, he's finished a giant leap to get back on track — and his dream lives on.

At 6-foot and 248 pounds, Tonga is a devastating blocker with powerful drive in his lower body. As a lead blocker in Robert Anae's offense, he was fearless in tracking down and putting a bead on linemen, linebackers, safeties and corners for Harvey Unga. His pass protection is something Anae and position coach Lance Reynolds use as an example, a how-to tape.

Tonga is currently working out daily in Orem with a private trainer, Dave Stroshine, in preparation for the NFL Combine at the end of the month. His draft stock is high, some projecting him as the first fullback taken, according to Stroshine, who also trains former Cougars Fahu Tahi (Minnesota Vikings) and Fui Vakapuna (Cincinnati Bengals).

Vakapuna had no NFL traction at all when he left BYU two years ago. The former East High star had to come from nowhere to get the NFL to notice him.

Stroshine says that isn't the case with Tonga.

"Last year, Fui had a shoulder injury. Nobody knew anything about him," said Stroshine. "But Manase is already on people's big board."

Tonga left BYU and football for 16 months while he battled academic issues.

Add to that a two-year mission to San Pedro, Honduras, before enrolling at BYU, and he's had some lengthy interruptions since high school football days. Tonga didn't find out he could play his senior year until mid-July before two-a-days began. That he made it and succeeded on an 11-win bowl team helped launch him to the spot he finds himself in today.

The day he walked into BYU's team meeting last August, Tonga's 16-month hiatus turned into gold.

"I felt it as soon as I walked in the room," he said. "I didn't know what my role would be, but I was a veteran. To see how everybody welcomed me, reacted, was something else. Everyone in our position meeting had a little lighter step and we started clicking on the field the first day."

Then came an upset win over Oklahoma, something Tonga will never forget.

"Oh, man, it was a great feeling. First, I wanted to finish what I started," he said.