21-year-old center from Kapa‘a signs three-year free agent deal to play in the NFL by Lanaly Cabalo – THE GARDEN ISLAND Brennen Carvalho has packed his bags and is on his way to Wisconsin today. The 21-year-old Kamehameha Schools alum
21-year-old center from Kapa‘a signs three-year free agent deal to play in the NFL
by Lanaly Cabalo – THE GARDEN ISLAND
Brennen Carvalho has packed his bags and is on his way to Wisconsin today.
The 21-year-old Kamehameha Schools alum from Kapa‘a was signed to a three-year free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday after the NFL draft.
“It was a long day for me,” he said. “I got up early and watched the draft, because I knew a couple other guys who were getting drafted (on Sunday). It was so stressful because I just waited to hear if they’d call my name.”
Halfway through the draft on Sunday, Carvalho got a call from an assistant coach for the Packers.
“He told me to hang in there and he told me that if I didn’t get picked then, I would get picked later on. So I just waited,” he said.
The 6-foot-1, 300 pound center was also told that the organization wasn’t planning on bringing in anyone else at that position.
Carvalho started playing football his freshman year at Kamehameha and received a five-year scholarship to Portland State University in Oregon. As a true freshman — then only 17 years old — Carvalho started the final six games at left guard.
He went on to make the first team All-Big Sky conference three years in a row and was named an a first team All-American for the past two years. Carvalho was also named the 2007 Rimington Award winner, an award given to the top center in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. He played in the most recent Hula Bowl alongside fellow Kaua‘i-raised football player Jordon Dizon, who was drafted in the second round by the Detroit Lions.
“I’m really excited for him,” Carvalho said. “He’s the highest pick to come out of Hawai‘i this year and that’s really good.”
Carvalho is also excited for the fact that both he and Dizon will be getting a shot in the NFL. He said coming from a Neighbor Island, having two picked up in the same year is incredible.
“It’s good for Kaua‘i. It doesn’t really happen that often,” he said.
Heading into the draft, Carvalho worried that his size would prevent him from getting an opportunity in the big league. He said he was smaller than most players at the center position. But in speaking with the Packers offensive line coach, James Campen, there was nothing to worry about.
“He told me he didn’t care about my size,” Carvalho said.
Carvalho and his family were all watching the draft together on Sunday.
“We’re happy for him,” said his father, Bernard Carvalho, who also had a short sting in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.
He said one of the best parts about his son being drafted was that he spoke with coach about his schooling.
“As a parent, (the coach) was concerned about his education and they said they want him to finish (college), so that’s good,” Bernard said, who will not be accompanying his son to Wisconsin. “I wanted to go, but I guess he’s a big boy now. He said he wanted to go on his own. At least he has a chance to go.”
Carvalho still has one more year of college left before he graduates, but said that the Packers will be working with him, allowing him to perhaps practice and take some classes.
Carvalho leaves for Wisconsin today and will start attending Packers meetings starting tomorrow. Then, he and other rookies will start preparation for the team’s camp or training sessions.
“I’m ready. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” he said.
The Packers are coming off a 13-3 season and a trip to the NFC championship game against the New York Giants.
The Packers also drafted quarterback Brian Brohm of Louisville, receiver Jordy Nelson of Kansas State and Auburn cornerback Patrick Lee.
Packers General Manager Ted Thompson told the media the new class of players will be very helpful to the team.
“I think they’re good investments in the team, both in the short haul and in the long term. We felt it came together pretty good,” he said.
Other Hawai‘i football players who signed free agent deals over the weekend were receivers Jason Rivers (Tennessee Titans), Davone Bess (Dolphins), Ryan Grice-Mullins (Houston Texans) and guard Hercules Satele (Arizona Cardinals).
Brennen Carvalho
Age: 21
Hometown: Kapa‘a
Family: Parents Bernard and Regina;
siblings Bronson and Brittany
Prep school: Kamehameha Schools — Kapalama
College: Portland State University
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 300 pounds
Position: Center, offensive line
Drafted: Three-year free agent deal with Green Bay Packers
Family ties: Father Bernard played for Miami Dolphins; was drafted out of the University of Hawai‘i;
brother Bronson played prep football for St. Louis School in Honolulu
