LOCALS IN THE NFL

Former Utah State DT Hale Motu’apuaka Earns Mini Camp Invite From Colts

Apr 29, 2024, 4:32 PM

Hale-Motu'apuaka-Utah-State...

Utah State defensive tackle Hale Motu'apuaka (Courtesy of Wade Denniston / USU Athletics)

(Courtesy of Wade Denniston / USU Athletics)

SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah State defensive tackle Hale Motu’apuaka received a rookie mini camp invite from the Indianapolis Colts following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Hale Motu’apuaka gets rookie mini camp invite from Colts

The Utah State football team shared the news of Motu’apuaka’s invitation via the team’s official X account on Monday, April 29.

RELATED: Local Players Selected During 2024 NFL Draft

“𝙄𝙉𝙑𝙄𝙏𝙀𝘿 @Colts Congratulations @hale_676,” USU football posted on social media.

The former Utah State standout will join a Colts team that posted a 9-8 record in 2023.

About Hale Motu’apuaka

Motu’apuaka is a native of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Before joining the Aggies’ football program, Motu’apuaka was a standout player at Punahou High School. As a junior and senior at Punahou, Motu’apuaka earned first-team all-Interscholastic League of Honolulu honors.

Motu’apuaka’s first season on the field at Utah State was in 2018. During his redshirt freshman season, Motu’apuaka had 13 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and one quarterback hurry in 12 games.

As a sophomore in 2020, Motu’apuaka had eight tackles, one quarterback hurry, and a blocked kick. He played in six games, including two starts.

As a junior, Motu’apuaka recorded 26 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and eight tackles for loss. He played in all 14 of Utah State’s games. Motu’apuaka helped USU to an 11-3 record, a Mountain West Conference title, and an LA Bowl win over Oregon State.

In 2022, Motu’apuaka played and started in 12 games. He recorded 35 tackles, 5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and one quarterback hurry.

Last season, the defensive tackle wrapped up his USU career with 33 total tackles, 14 solo tackles, and three sacks.

In 2021, Motu’apuaka won the World Fireknife Competition Men’s Division Championship.

Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • Utah State Aggies Scoreboard

  • Utah State Aggies Team Leaders

  • Utah State Aggies Standings

Locals In the NFL

Locals In The NFL Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love...

Chandler Holt

Packers QB Jordan Love Comes Up Just Short Against Lions In Detroit

Former Utah State QB Jordan Love and the Packers fought hard but ultimately came up short against the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night.

2 days ago

Locals In The NFL Detroit Lions WR Tim Patrick...

Chandler Holt

Lions WR Tim Patrick Catches Second Touchdown To Give Detroit Late Lead

Former Utah WR Tim Patrick went from no touchdowns in three years to scoring twice in one game against the Packers.

2 days ago

Locals In The NFL Detroit Lions WR Tim Patrick...

Chandler Holt

Lions WR Tim Patrick Scores First Touchdown In Nearly Three Years

Former Utah wide receiver Tim Patrick got back in the end zone against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football in week 14.

2 days ago

How To Watch Locals In The NFL Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson...

KSL Sports

How To Watch Local Players, Coaches In Week 14 Of 2024 NFL Season

Here is how to watch the players and coaches with ties to the state of Utah in week 14 of the 2024 NFL regular season.

2 days ago

byu taysom hill...

Tanner Tripp

Former BYU Cougar Taysom Hill Out For Season With Torn ACL

Former BYU Cougar and current Saint Taysom Hill was carted off the field in New Orleans' loss to the Los Angeles Rams after suffering a knee injury. At the time of the injury, it was hard to tell the severity, but after evaluation on Sunday evening, bad news came down about Taysom's situation.

4 days ago

Locals In The NFL Top Performances Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua...

Chandler Holt

#LocalsInTheNFL Week 13 Recap: Top Performances And Weekly Roundup

Check out our Locals In The NFL weekly roundup for top performances, all stats, and locals who picked up a week ten win.

6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 15

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our co-winners this week were Esun Tafa and Cooper Kingston from […]

...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 15

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep football players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the gridiron and exceptional play. Our co-winners this week were Aaron Dunn from Spanish Fork High School and […]

Rice-Eccles Stadium...

Crimson Cliffs Completes Epic Comeback To Win 4A State Championship

Crimson Cliffs needed the largest comeback in Utah state history to knock off the Spanish Fork Dons 57-55 in triple overtime.

corner canyon football celebrates win over lehi...

Corner Canyon Comes From Behind To Win 6A State Championship

The Corner Canyon Chargers fell behind early but didn't panic, scoring 23 straight points to beat Lone Peak 30-27.

Siaki Fekitoa...

Siaki Fekitoa’s Four TDs Lead Bountiful To 5A State Championship

Title Thursday started on a high note with a fireworks-filled offensive show as Bountiful held on to beat Roy 42-35.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 14

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our co-winners of the week were Beck Sheffield from Morgan High School […]

Former Utah State DT Hale Motu’apuaka Earns Mini Camp Invite From Colts