Afalava for more than three seasons at strong safety for the Beavers, taking over during his true freshman season. He managed only 36 tackles in 2008 (after making 64 as a junior), but showed some ability in coverage with two interceptions and eight pass break-ups.

His reputation as a hammer in the secondary earned him honorable mention All-Pac-10 each of the past two years. Afalava's linebacker size and mentality makes him a perfect in-the-box safety and special teams contributor at the next level.

Positives: Good build for the position. Instinctive defender who reads the quarterback's eyes well and breaks on the ball. Very quick to read run and come up in support. Physical hitter who can be an intimidating presence over the middle. Reliable open-field tackler. Willing to take on blocks to make the play. Durable performer with experience at strong and free safety.

Negatives: May lack the speed and agility for NFL coverage. Makes most of his plays coming downhill and isn't the same playmaker with his back to the quarterback. Questionable deep speed. Lacks the hip flexibility to turn and run with receivers one on one. Rarely tested deep in this defense due to Oregon State's good pass rush and veteran press corners - both of whom will be drafted this April. Character red flag: Suspended for the first game of 2008 after he crashed his car into an empty bus shelter at 4:30 am and left the scene on foot. Reached plea agreement to reduce original DUI, hit-and-run charges.

Pac-10 Honorable Mention … third-leading tackler on the team with 64, including 56 solos … career-high 11 tackles at Arizona State and 10 in the season opener vs. Utah … recovered two fumbles for the season, both against UCLA, returning one 33 yards in the first quarter for a TD.

Nine starts at free safety, including the last four games … 35 tackles for the season, including games of four vs. Boise State, Idaho, California and Oregon … intercepted his first career pass against Arizona State (Rudy Carpenter) and returned to the ASU 6 ??? OSU would score a TD two plays later … forced a fumble vs. Oregon, the Ducks recovered … three breakups for the season.

Al was one of seven true-freshmen to play and the only one to start … missed two games with a knee injury … made eight tackles against Oregon and six vs. Washington State … made a touchdown saving tackle against WSU tight end Troy Bienemann at the 1-yard line and in the same game forced a Michael Bumpus fumble that set up OSU's go-ahead touchdown … for the season he made 32 tackles.

Afalava was a two-star athlete by Scout.com and rated the second-best defensive back on the Islands by the recruiting service … Rivals.com two-sport athlete … first-team all-state on defense … led Kahuku to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the semifinals of the state playoffs in 2004 … the team was ranked No. 14 in the West and won the Oahu Interscholastic Association … scored in a 2004 state quarterfinal game by recovering a fumble in the end zone … helped Kahuku to the state title and a 14-0 record as a junior … played in the state's Goodwill Football Classic All-Star game … made 100 tackles, including 20 for loss and nine quarterback sacks, and eight interceptions in '04 … SuperPrep Magazine All-Region team member.

Born in Laie, Hawaii … his wife's name is Jerrell and they have a son, Darius … son of Donald and Teresa Tanoai … has one brother, Justin … his aunt, Mona Ah-Hoy led BYU-Hawaii to the national title in volleyball as a player and she currently is the head coach of the successful Kahuku HS girls volleyball team … Camilla Ah-Hoy, a cousin, is a sophomore on the OSU volleyball team … also had two uncles play college football … Kahuku is a major recruiting area for OSU.