Matangi Tonga (American football)

Matangi To-I-Moana Tonga (born January 6, 1988) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at the University of Houston and attended Aragon High School in San Mateo, California. He has been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Iowa Barnstormers, Spokane Shock and Orlando Predators.

Matangi Tonga
Free agent
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1988-01-06) January 6, 1988
Redwood City, California
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:290 lb (132 kg)
Career information
High school:San Mateo (CA) Aragon
College:Houston
Undrafted:2011
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career Arena statistics
Tackles:68.0
Sacks:7.0
Passes Batted:10
Forced Fumbles:3
Interceptions:2
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

Early years

Tonga played high school football for the Aragon High School Dons. He played defensive end, linebacker and defensive tackle for the Dons. He earned First-Team All-League, All-State, All-Metro, All-County and All-Central Coast honors in both his junior and senior years. He was team MVP his senior season. Tonga was also named San Mateo Daily Journal, San Mateo Daily News and San Mateo County Times Player of the Year. He helped the Dons to a 9–2 record as a senior while recording 11 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. He also rushed for 837 yards and 20 touchdowns on 105 carries.[1]

College career

Tonga first played college football in 2006 for the BYU Cougars. He appeared in 13 games for the team during the season, recording 13 tackles, one sack and one interception.[1] He was suspended indefinitely from the Cougars in February 2007 after being charged with burglary.[2] Tonga afterwards attended Utah Valley State College.[1][2] He played for the San Mateo Bulldogs of College of San Mateo during the 2009 season. He helped the Bulldogs finish with a 10–2 record and advanced to the state championship game. Tonga was an All-America First-Team selection.[1] He transferred to play for the Houston Cougars in 2010.[1]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		 287 lb
(130 kg)		 4.79 s 1.69 s 2.82 s 4.41 s 7.15 s 32 1⁄2 in
(0.83 m)		 9 ft 0 in
(2.74 m)		 29 reps
All values from Houston Pro Day[3]

Dallas Cowboys

Tonga signed by the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) after going undrafted in the 2011 NFL draft. He was released by the Cowboys after failing a physical.[4]

Iowa Barnstormers

Tonga was assigned to the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League (AFL) on April 21, 2012.[5] He recorded nine tackles and one sack in nine games his rookie year in 2012. He compiled 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks in fifteen games in 2013. Tonga collected 19 tackles and two sacks in eighteen games in 2014.[6] The Barnstormers left the AFL and became members of the Indoor Football League on August 27, 2014.[7]

Spokane Shock

Tonga was assigned to the Spokane Shock of the AFL on October 2, 2014.[8]

Orlando Predators

Tonga was traded to the Orlando Predators for the third overall claim order position on April 28, 2015.[9][10] He was placed on recallable reassignment on May 27, 2015.[10]

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References
  1. "Matangi Tonga". uhcougars.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  2. Israelsen-Hartley, Sara (November 8, 2007). "Ex-BYU player given chance to clean up his act". deseretnews.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  3. "Matangi Tonga". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  4. Mollat, Nathan (July 30, 2011). "Another NFL hopeful". smdailyjournal.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  5. "Historical Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  6. "Matangi Tonga". arenafootball.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  7. Hepker, Aaron (August 27, 2014). "Barnstormers Announce New Coach, Changing Leagues". theiowabarnstormers.com. whotv.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  8. "Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  9. "PREDATORS ACQUIRE LB MATANGI TONGA, ADD FORMER NFL DB EMANUEL COOK". orlandopredators.com. April 29, 2015. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  10. "Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
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