Measurables
- 6‘5 Height
- 272 lb. Weight
2025 Stats
- 50 Pressures
- 13.8% Pressure Rate
- 8 QB Hits
- 6 Sacks
- 83.5 Pass Rush Grade
- 3 Batted Passes
- 17 Solo Tackles
- 11 Assist Tackles
- 20 Run Stops
- 14 Missed Tackles (33.3%)
- 2 Forced Fumbles
Awards/Accolades
- 2024 First Team All Big10 (Media), 2024 Second Team All Big10 (Coaches)
- Polynesian Player of the Year Finalist (2024)
- Lombardi Award Semifinalist (2025, for top linemen/linebackers)
Strengths
- His signature move, the cross chop, is highly effective. He uses his long arms very effectively to keep blockers off of him.
- Moves very well for a bigger Defensive End. Very Flexible and Bendy with a surprisingly quick first step. Low Body Fat, lot of good weight on his frame.
- Inside/Outside rusher, can play outside and over the tackle with occasional snaps in the B gap as a Defensive Tackle. Has done well on stunts as a looper as well as the crasher.
- Strong awareness of where the ball is at all times, isn’t fooled by play fakes, RPO’s, or trick plays. Can smell a screens like a bloodhound and disrupts it accordingly.
- Sets a hard edge in the run game, strong anchor and good stance to hold up at the point of attack against both down blockers and pullers.
- Uses his arm length well to bat passes down at the line. Can also drop back into coverage on zone plays in the flats at times.
- Motor runs hot, always putting effort and has a few chase-down tackles on tape.
Weaknesses
- Needs more pass rush variety and counters, often reliant on his cross chop or a long arm. Adding speed to power, bull rush, and swim move with his length and get off could be game-changing. Hands need more speed and activeness.
- Despite size and length, doesn’t have the most physical playstyle, often trying to win with finesse and bend on the outside shoulder instead.
- Bad habit of setting his anchor in the wrong spot, getting out of position of the play and opening up a lane. Tries to recover with diving tackle attempts, but the misses from that position added to his missed tackle rate a lot in 2025.
Draft Projection
Round 2 Grade
Matayo was ranked #45 on my initial Big Board Top 100, so there is a good chance he could be available by the time the Colts pick at the 47th Overall Pick. His length, first step, bend, and flexibility is rare mix for a player of his size. If he can unlock more of the power aspect of his game in the pass rush department, he could take a major step forward in the pros.
Combine this with his versatility to line up from the 5i inside to the Wide 9 outside and this experienced DE can be a weapon to attack weak spots across the line. Scouts have been able to watch Uiagalelei play significant snaps since he was a freshman in 2023 for the Ducks, and while the sack production wasn’t crazy in 2025, (he had 10.5 in 2024) the pressure rate has been very consistent throughout his collegiate career.
For a Colts team that has had issues in Pass rush from the Edge, Uiagalelei could be a breath of fresh air. Gaining more power could come naturally with increased weight from an NFL weight room program, and top Colts incumbent pass rusher Laiatu Latu is an expert of pass rush variety and can help mentor his fellow Polynesian End on varying his arsenal of moves and counters. The Colts will have a trio of Ends hitting Free Agency: Veteran outside pass rusher Samson Ebukam who struggled to bounce back from an Achilles injury, inside/outside situational pass rusher with a long injury history Tyquan Lewis, and hard edge setting run stuffing DE Kwity Paye. Uiagalelei could be a replacement for both the Tyquan Lewis versatility and the Kwity Paye edge setting if neither are brought back, all while continuing to develop as a pass rusher. The ceiling for Uiagalelei is high, and with time he could unlock a new level to his play with the right adjustments to his playstyle.
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