Isaako Aaitui

Isaako Aaitui (born January 25, 1987) is a former American football nose tackle. He was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at UNLV.

Isaako Aaitui
No. 97
Position:Nose tackle
Personal information
Born: (1987-01-25) January 25, 1987
Pago Pago, American Samoa
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:307 lb (139 kg)
Career information
High school:Faga'itua (Pago Pago, American Samoa)
College:UNLV
Undrafted:2011
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:3
Sacks:0
Forced fumbles:0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Aaitui attended Faga'itua High School in Pago Pago, where he played rugby, volleyball and soccer in addition to football prior to graduating in 2006.[1]

College career

After redshirting at UNLV in 2006, Aaitui made his Rebels debut in 2007, appearing in seven games and recording 10 tackles (two for a loss).[1] He started nine of 12 games played as a sophomore in 2008, totaling 32 tackles (14 solo), leading the team with seven tackles for a loss and tying for the team lead with two sacks.[1]

Aaitui started 10 of 12 games at defensive tackle as a junior in 2009, recording 31 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss.[1] He closed out his collegiate career with 27 tackles (5 for a loss), 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.[1]

Professional career

Miami Dolphins

After going undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, Aaitui did not attend training camp and did not sign with a team until joining the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins on October 5, 2011.[2] He remained on the practice squad the rest of his rookie season and was re-signed to a future contract in January 2012.[3]

Aaitui's attempt to make the Dolphins' roster in 2012 was documented on the HBO series Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins.[4] He came up just short of earning a roster spot and was waived by the team during final cuts, with the organization hoping to retain him on the practice squad.[4]

New York Jets

After being waived by the Dolphins, Aaitui made his first NFL roster when he was claimed by the New York Jets on September 2.[4] However, he suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his first practice with the Jets and was subsequently waived two days later.[4]

New Orleans Saints

After spending the 2012 season out of football with a knee injury, Aaitui signed a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints in May 2013.[5] However, he was once again waived during final cuts on August 31.[6]

Miami Dolphins (second stint)

Aaitui was re-signed by the Dolphins on September 17, 2013, to provide depth at the defensive tackle position due to an injury to Paul Soliai.[7] He was promoted to the active roster on October 19 after the release of Marvin Austin.[8] Aaitui made his NFL debut the following day, participating in 19 defensive snaps in the team's home loss to the Buffalo Bills.[9]

Washington Redskins

Aaitui signed with the Washington Redskins practice squad on December 16, 2014.[10] He signed a futures contract on December 29.[11]

On May 4, 2015, he was waived by the Redskins.[12]

References
  1. "Player Bio: Isaako Aaitui". UNLVRebels.com. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  2. "Dolphins sign OT Will Barker away from Buccaneers; make practice squad moves". Phins-Spotlight.com. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  3. "Dolphins re-sign seven to future contracts". Phins-Spotlight.com. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  4. Rosenthal, Gregg (September 5, 2012). "Hard Knocks' Isaako Aaitui waived by Jets after injury". NFL.com. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  5. "New Orleans Saints Agree To Terms With DT Isaako Aaitui". NewOrleansSaints.com. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  6. "Saints Roster Cuts 2013: Saints Waive Isaako Aaitui". CanalStreetChronicles.com. August 31, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  7. "With Soliai sidelined, Dolphins bring back Isaako Aaitui, Al Lapuaho". FinNation.com. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  8. "Dolphins promote DT Isaako Aaitui to the 53-man roster". The Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  9. Nogle, Kevin (October 23, 2013). "Bills vs Dolphins final look: Miami defensive snap counts". ThePhinsider.com. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  10. Kring-Schreifels, Jake. "More On New Redskin Isaako Aaitui". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  11. Jones, Mike (December 29, 2014). "Redskins sign eight players to futures contracts". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  12. Keim, John (May 4, 2015). "Redskins cut 13 players, start adding UDFAs". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
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