Hawaii Rainbow Warriors' highest NFL draft picks since 1970

While most colleges and universities field a football team as part of its general athletics program, there are some for which football is more than merely a sport—it's akin almost to a religion. Devotion to the team and its colors is as important to that school's culture as a religious icon is to a believer. These programs actively scout and recruit notable high school players, and are in turn rigorously applied to by matriculating seniors eager to make a name for themselves at the collegiate level.

Among the most notable college football empires are Notre Dame, the universities of Alabama, Michigan, Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, Penn State, Ohio State—the list goes on and on.

But for every touchstone football school, there is an outlier that has produced some of the most successful and cherished players in the game. Think Jackson State, which gave us "Sweetness" himself, Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. Or Mississippi Valley State, which yielded 3-time Super Bowl champion and #1 Player in NFL History, as voted by the NFL Network, '49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice.

Each year, the college draft serves as a source of renewal to professional football and a testament to the quality of college programs nationwide. With the 2022 NFL draft set to take place April 28-30 in Las Vegas, Stacker compiled a list of the highest NFL draft picks from the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors using data from Pro Football Reference. Ties were broken by the most recent year drafted.

#20. Ryan Mouton (DB)
- Draft pick: Round 3, #94 overall in 2009
- Drafted by: Tennessee Titans
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#19. Ron Hall (TE)
- Draft pick: Round 4, #87 overall in 1987
- Drafted by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Years as a starter in NFL: 7 (0 Pro Bowls)

#18. Jeff Ulbrich (LB)
- Draft pick: Round 3, #86 overall in 2000
- Drafted by: San Francisco 49ers
- Years as a starter in NFL: 4 (0 Pro Bowls)

#17. John Woodcock (DT)
- Draft pick: Round 3, #76 overall in 1976
- Drafted by: Detroit Lions
- Years as a starter in NFL: 2 (0 Pro Bowls)

#16. Wayne Hunter (T)
- Draft pick: Round 3, #73 overall in 2003
- Drafted by: Seattle Seahawks
- Years as a starter in NFL: 1 (0 Pro Bowls)

#15. Vince Manuwai (G)
- Draft pick: Round 3, #72 overall in 2003
- Drafted by: Jacksonville Jaguars
- Years as a starter in NFL: 7 (0 Pro Bowls)

#14. Al Noga (DE)
- Draft pick: Round 3, #71 overall in 1988
- Drafted by: Minnesota Vikings
- Years as a starter in NFL: 4 (0 Pro Bowls)

#13. Jason Elam (K)
- Draft pick: Round 3, #70 overall in 1993
- Drafted by: Denver Broncos
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#12. Colin Scotts (DT)
- Draft pick: Round 3, #70 overall in 1987
- Drafted by: St. Louis Rams
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#11. Leo Goeas (G)
- Draft pick: Round 3, #60 overall in 1990
- Drafted by: San Diego Chargers
- Years as a starter in NFL: 5 (0 Pro Bowls)

#10. Samson Satele (C)
- Draft pick: Round 2, #60 overall in 2007
- Drafted by: Miami Dolphins
- Years as a starter in NFL: 8 (0 Pro Bowls)

#9. Ikaika Alama-Francis (DE)
- Draft pick: Round 2, #58 overall in 2007
- Drafted by: Detroit Lions
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#8. David Veikune (LB)
- Draft pick: Round 2, #52 overall in 2009
- Drafted by: Cleveland Browns
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#7. Jeris White (DB)
- Draft pick: Round 2, #52 overall in 1974
- Drafted by: Miami Dolphins
- Years as a starter in NFL: 5 (0 Pro Bowls)

#6. Adrian Klemm (G)
- Draft pick: Round 2, #46 overall in 2000
- Drafted by: New England Patriots
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#5. Walter Murray (WR)
- Draft pick: Round 2, #45 overall in 1986
- Drafted by: Washington Football Team
- Years as a starter in NFL: 0

#4. Pisa Tinoisamoa (LB)
- Draft pick: Round 2, #43 overall in 2003
- Drafted by: St. Louis Rams
- Years as a starter in NFL: 7 (0 Pro Bowls)

#3. Jahlani Tavai (LB)
- Draft pick: Round 2, #43 overall in 2019
- Drafted by: Detroit Lions
- Years as a starter in NFL: 1 (0 Pro Bowls)

#2. Travis LaBoy (DE)
- Draft pick: Round 2, #42 overall in 2004
- Drafted by: Tennessee Titans
- Years as a starter in NFL: 3 (0 Pro Bowls)

#1. Ashley Lelie (WR)
- Draft pick: Round 1, #19 overall in 2002
- Drafted by: Denver Broncos
- Years as a starter in NFL: 4 (0 Pro Bowls)