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2019 NFL Draft: Hawaii WR John Ursua Giving Up Final Year Of Eligibility
One of the best in Warriors history is taking the next step.
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Ursua is taking his talent to the NFL
One of Hawaii’s all-time best wide receivers is off to the NFL. Junior wide out John Ursua told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he is giving up his final year of eligibility.
“I think mostly just my age and productivity this year kind of led me to this decision,” said Ursua. “It was a hard decision, for sure, but it was a decision I wanted to make.”
One reason he is likely going pro is that he is a bit older than the traditional prospect as he is going to be turning 25 in January because he served a two-year mission in Paris for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints.
Ursua sat out the Hawaii Bowl with a hamstring injury so his final game for the Warriors came on the road in a win against San Diego State where he hauled in four catches for a season-low 34 yards.
His numbers speak for themselves as he ended up leading all of FBS with 16 touchdown receptions, fifth in receiving yards with 1,343 and his 89 receptions were sixth in the nation.
Some of those numbers are due to the run-n-shoot but his 2017 numbers were just as eye-popping with 47 receptions for 667 yards and five touchdowns in just six games.
Ursua let head coach Nick Rolovich and others know of this tough decision.
“It was really hard,” Ursua said. “I thanked him for everything he did for me. It was definitely a bittersweet moment having to tell Rolo. I asked if he could respect and support me in this decision. He said: ‘Make Hawaii proud,’ and ‘Merry Christmas.’ He said he’ll be behind me.”
His big play capabilities will make him attractive to the NFL as a slot receiver, but that is not all he can do. Ursua seems to catch everything that comes his way and does an amazing job in his route running and also able to create separation.
He will be an interesting prospect to watch in the coming months.
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