Iupati: 'I like to destroy'

INDIANAPOLIS -- Mike Iupati is the consensus top-rated offensive guard heading into the NFL draft, and the massive lineman from Idaho drew high marks from scouts for his aggressive demeanor at the Senior Bowl.

Now, Iupati is showing off his wares at the NFL scouting combine.

The 6-foot-5, 331-pounder is coveted by NFL teams for his intensity, athleticism, long arms and brute strength.

While he still needs to refine his techique and adjust to a higher level of football, he's regarded as a rising draft prospect.

"I'm very aggressive off the ball," Iupati said. "And I open some holes for some running backs. I like to be engaged real quick and I like to pull. I think I will do a great job as an offensive guard.

"It's very natural to me because I'm very competitive. That's my nature. When it comes to football, I like to destroy."

He has also displayed versatility by playing some offensive tackle at the Senior Bowl.

Since arriving at the NFL scouting combine, he has met with the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins.

"A lot of people told me that I have to be versatile," Iupati said. "They know that I am a pretty good athlete
It'll come natural to me. I just have to learn it.

"I'm very quick setting up my left side. But I need a little time with it and I know I'll be fine. You've got to give me time."

Iupati is well aware that the compensation level for tackles is much higher than as an interior lineman.

"Yes, that's where the money is," he siad. "I've been playing left guard all my career and it's something I have to learn."

Iupati is a native of American Samoa whose family moved to the United States when he was 14 years old. He lived in his aunt's garage at one point.

"My family decided to decided they wanted us to have a good education," Iupati said. "They sacrificed a lot of stuff to move from Samoa because we were very well off. Coming to the U.S. and realizing it's very difficult financially. We moved into my Auntie's house and stayed there for a whole year.

"Then my parents both had jobs and were able to support us financially so we moved to a small apartment in Anaheim and lived there paycheck to paycheck. It's been hard. That's why I always take advantage of every little opportunity I get, just try to seize the moment so I can have a better future for myself and my family."

Iupati was a non-qualifer out of high school as a Prop 48.

"My high school mainly focused on students graduating from high school so I didn't get very much help from my counselors so I was a non-qualifier from high school," Iupati said. "The reason why was I took the wrong classes and I was a non-qualifier. I decided to go to a junior college. I was at a barbecue function at a junior college and Idaho was there recruiting JC players.

"They saw me there and they recruited me and went to my high school the next day and offered me a Prop 48 deal. I refused it, but my parents were the reason I took the offer because they took out a loan and paid for my first year."

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