Kiko Mauigoa has taken whirlwind journey to NFL and Jets

If Kiko Mauigoa sacks Tua Tagovailoa, he’s nearly sure the quarterback’s dad and mom received’t maintain it towards him.

“I’ve met them — superb folks,” Mauigoa stated. “It’s nothing private, you understand?”

Mauigoa, a rookie fifth-round draft decide, might make his first profession begin Monday evening when the short-on-linebackers Jets go to the Dolphins. Not solely will Mauigoa be returning to the location of a few of his finest soccer reminiscences — his alma mater, the College of Miami, shares Exhausting Rock Stadium with the Tagovailoa’s Dolphins — however he shall be chasing round a boyhood idol.

Mauigoa grew up taking part in quarterback in American Samoa, and the Hawaii-born Tagovailoa is of Samoan descent. American Samoa is understood for producing a excessive price of NFL gamers per capita, however most of the greats are linemen, and Mauigoa noticed a path to being underneath middle when Tagovailoa led Alabama to a nationwide championship and Marcus Mariota led the Titans to the NFL playoffs.