Isaako Aaitui (born January 25, 1987) is a former American football nose tackle. He was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at UNLV.
No. 97 | |||
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Position: | Nose tackle | ||
Personal information | |||
Born: | Pago Pago, American Samoa | January 25, 1987||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||
Weight: | 307 lb (139 kg) | ||
Career information | |||
High school: | Faga'itua (Pago Pago, American Samoa) | ||
College: | UNLV | ||
Undrafted: | 2011 | ||
Career history | |||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
Career NFL statistics | |||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Aaitui attended Faga'itua High School in Pago Pago, where he played rugby, volleyball and soccer in addition to football prior to graduating in 2006.[1]
After redshirting at UNLV in 2006, Aaitui made his Rebels debut in 2007, appearing in seven games and recording 10 tackles (two for a loss).[1] He started nine of 12 games played as a sophomore in 2008, totaling 32 tackles (14 solo), leading the team with seven tackles for a loss and tying for the team lead with two sacks.[1]
Aaitui started 10 of 12 games at defensive tackle as a junior in 2009, recording 31 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss.[1] He closed out his collegiate career with 27 tackles (5 for a loss), 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.[1]
After going undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, Aaitui did not attend training camp and did not sign with a team until joining the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins on October 5, 2011.[2] He remained on the practice squad the rest of his rookie season and was re-signed to a future contract in January 2012.[3]
Aaitui's attempt to make the Dolphins' roster in 2012 was documented on the HBO series Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins.[4] He came up just short of earning a roster spot and was waived by the team during final cuts, with the organization hoping to retain him on the practice squad.[4]
After being waived by the Dolphins, Aaitui made his first NFL roster when he was claimed by the New York Jets on September 2.[4] However, he suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his first practice with the Jets and was subsequently waived two days later.[4]
After spending the 2012 season out of football with a knee injury, Aaitui signed a two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints in May 2013.[5] However, he was once again waived during final cuts on August 31.[6]
Aaitui was re-signed by the Dolphins on September 17, 2013, to provide depth at the defensive tackle position due to an injury to Paul Soliai.[7] He was promoted to the active roster on October 19 after the release of Marvin Austin.[8] Aaitui made his NFL debut the following day, participating in 19 defensive snaps in the team's home loss to the Buffalo Bills.[9]
Aaitui signed with the Washington Redskins practice squad on December 16, 2014.[10] He signed a futures contract on December 29.[11]
On May 4, 2015, he was waived by the Redskins.[12]