Former Wildcat Aiulua Fanene signs with Green Bay Packers
With the 2017 NFL Season officially underway, teams are making some last minute moves, with the Packers signing former Wildcat Aiulua Fanene.
Aiulua Fanene, the Samoan native who spent the past few seasons with the Wildcats will have the opportunity to continue his playing career. Fanene was not drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, but on Thursday, he was signed by the Green Bay Packers.
CONGRATS to Arizona Football @AiuluaFanene signed with the @packers pic.twitter.com/OUHUT38KMq
— ZonaZealotsFS (@ZonaZealots) August 3, 2017
Fanene’s career was interesting while in Tucson. Initially, a Mike Stoops recruit in the class of 2010, Fanene would serve on his Mission, before returning to Tucson, and playing for Rich Rodriguez.
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Away from football for some time, Fanene would return, and be one of the few shining pieces on a defensive unit that often struggled the past few seasons.
Last year as a Senior, Fanene had 15 tackles, with two coming for a loss, while also deflecting a pass, and forcing a fumble.
Albeit the ‘not so eye-popping stats,’ Fanene would work out with some teams just ahead of the draft, with the hopes of getting selected. After all, he is the younger brother of longtime NFL veteran, Jonathan Fanene.
Unfortunately for Aiulua, he would not hear his name called.
Well, fast forward a couple of months, and Fanene is going to get his chance. On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers announced they are going to sign the former Arizona Wildcat.
The Packers have signed rookie DT Aiulua Fanene from Arizona, his agent Aaron Gordon told ESPN. The native of... https://t.co/nZqsmQwLtO
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 3, 2017
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At Zona Zealots, we are proud of the journey Fanene has been on. He has shown resilience, and he has come a long way as a player and person! We wish him immense success! Bear Down, Arizona!