KAILUA-KONA — Ask John Ursua what the last few months have been like and the Big Island native will tell you he’s living the life.
Eat, sleep, train, football — repeat.
“There’s nothing better,” Ursua said with a laugh during a phone interview from Arizona.
In late December, Ursua decided to forgo his senior year and declare for the NFL Draft, which seemed all but expected after he put up an all-time season in the University of Hawaii’s revived run and shoot offense.
Coming off a knee injury that ended a stellar redshirt sophomore season — 47 catches, 667 yards and five touchdowns in just six games — Ursua led the nation as a junior with 16 touchdown receptions, was fifth in receiving yards with 1,343 and his 89 receptions were good for sixth in college football.
Not to mention when UH needed a big play, he was usually the one who stepped up in crunch time.
“It was so exciting,” Ursua said. “Every week it was all about looking forward to the next opportunity, to get some YAC (yards after catch), and try to lead the country in all categories. That was my goal. But it’s a team game. I couldn’t have done what I did without guys like Cedric Byrd (970 yards) and JoJo Ward (865 yards) doing their thing. We spread the field out and made it tough on defenses.”
The decision to leave his hometown program to turn pro was not an easy one for Ursua. But luckily he has a pretty good sounding board in his family. He has two sisters, and his two older brothers, Jared and Naia, were wide receivers at Southern Utah after standout careers at Kealakehe.
“I rarely make a decision on my own,” said Ursua. “I’m the youngest in our family so I have to go through a long line. Family is everything and I always feel like I should get some intel and see where they’re at.”
What also aided in the decision is that Ursua is a few years older than the typical NFL prospect. After graduating from high school in 2012, he served a two-year mission in Paris for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before suiting up for UH.
Urusa turned 25 in January, and with some solid tape from his time with the Warriors, it seemed time to set his sights on the pro game.
“After I made the decision, there was no looking back,” Ursua said. “I’m confident and there’s nothing I’d rather be doing. I’ve enjoyed this process.”
Next level preparation
Shortly after announcing he would enter the draft, Ursua went to train with Chad Ikei, who recently relocated his business to Arizona from Hawaii. Ikei has nearly three decades of experience working with elite athletes, including numerous former ‘Bows.
If there’s a knock against Ursua in draft circles, it’s his size. UH listed him as 5-foot-10, 175 pounds on the roster, but recent Instagram training videos show that he’s packed on some size while improving his already impressive speed and quickness.
Ikei also posted a video of Ursua joining the “three plate club” as the wide receiver bench pressed 315 pounds.
“It’s eat, sleep, breathe football up here,” Ursua said. “We’ve been working hard.”
Ursua was anticipating heading a little further east for at least a few days during the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month. However, he was not on the invite list.
As he is with most things, Ursua is polite when talking about his exclusion from the combine. But to not have a Biletnikoff semifinalist and one of the top statistical receivers in the nation in Indianapolis for the annual underwear Olympics of NFL hopefuls was a snub.
“I’m a competitive guy,” Ursua said. “I wanted to be out there with the elite to see where I stood. But I don’t dwell on it.”
Ursua watched from afar, taking note of the top wide receiver times and marks. He’ll have a chance to show scouts how he stacks up at Hawaii’s pro day, which is slated for Tuesday at UCLA.
“I watched all of the wide receivers (at the combine),” Ursua said. “At the end of the day, I’m going to do the same drills and I know the numbers I have to beat.”
Ursua will be among eight former Rainbow Warriors recording measurables and showing off their skills during the pro day.
The others are: Noah Borden, long snapper; Kolney Cassel, quarterback; Kaiwi Chung, fullback; Mel Davis, running back; Jahlani Tavai, linebacker; Dakota Torres, tight end; Penitito Faalologo, defensive lineman.
Most experts have Ursua tabbed as a Day 3 pick, which would land him in rounds 4-7. No matter where he ends up, there’s little doubt with his proven production and skill set that he could find success in an NFL system, especially playing out of the slot.
Ursua said he’s talked with some teams who have shown interest, but is not getting ahead of himself.
“Pretty much every day there’s a call or my agent tells me there’s some team that wants to talk to me,” Ursua said. “It feels good to know you’re wanted, but nothing is set in stone. I’m never content and always working to improve.”
The NFL Draft is set for April 25-27.
Big Island roots
After helping lead Kealakehe to a BIIF title his freshman year, Ursua moved to Utah, graduating from Cedar High School.
Despite the distance, the Big Island was never far from his heart.
“I still claim the Big Island as my home — that’s my childhood. I grew up watching all the Big Island greats and that’s where I learned from my brothers, Jared and Naia,” Ursua said. “All credit goes to the people on the Big Island because I wouldn’t be where I am today without my time there.”
When Ursua returned to the Aloha State to attend and play for Hawaii, he couldn’t have imagined when it was all over being named in the same group as some of the Warrior greats from the past.
“It goes so far back. As a kid, that’s what you dream about. I wished I could be Davone Bess, Kealoha Pilares or Greg Salas — the list goes on,” Ursua said. “It was fun to represent.”
Keeping local talent in Hawaii hasn’t been the easiest task for UH head coach Nick Rolovich and his staff. But a player like Ursua should serve as an example that staying home can be a win-win unlike any other.
“The opportunity to play in front of your family and your home state — more than just Oahu — is a special gift,” Ursua said. “I always try to convince kids to stay home because the opportunity to get on the field and run out with that ‘H’ on your front chest is huge. Knowing you are doing it for so many people is special.”