Kenny Onatolu
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Career Summary
Kenny Onatolu is a former NFL linebacker who played at Nebraska-Omaha and built his professional career through the CFL and NFL special teams.
Kenny Onatolu is a former NFL linebacker. NFL.com lists Nebraska-Omaha as his college, and his professional path included the CFL, Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers.
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Early Life
Onatolu grew up near Lincoln, Nebraska, before choosing Nebraska-Omaha on a full scholarship.
Onatolu grew up about 50 miles northeast of Lincoln, Nebraska. He chose a full scholarship at Division II Nebraska-Omaha after Division I programs offered only walk-on opportunities.
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College Career
Onatolu played four standout seasons at Nebraska-Omaha and was named the Mavericks' 2006 Defensive MVP.
Onatolu played four seasons at Nebraska-Omaha. Omaha Athletics identified him as the program's 2006 Defensive MVP.
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Path to the NFL
After going undrafted, Onatolu spent two seasons with Edmonton in the CFL before Minnesota signed him to a future contract in late 2008.
Onatolu went undrafted after Nebraska-Omaha and played two seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL. Minnesota signed him to a future contract on December 29, 2008.
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NFL Career
Onatolu played 52 NFL games with Minnesota and Carolina, recording 40 tackles and a safety.
NFL.com credits Onatolu with 52 games, including three full seasons with Minnesota from 2009 through 2011 and four games with Carolina in 2012. He recorded 40 tackles and one safety.
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Career Accomplishments
Onatolu established a special-teams role with Minnesota, recording 17 tackles in his first NFL season and recovering a fumble in the NFC Championship Game.
In his first NFL season with Minnesota, Onatolu recorded 17 tackles while working primarily on coverage units. Omaha Athletics reported that he recovered a Reggie Bush punt-return fumble in the NFC Championship Game.
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Playing Style
Onatolu was a physical linebacker whose NFL value included special-teams coverage work.
Carolina described Onatolu as a physical special teams player who would compete for a linebacker role. He said special teams were central to his NFL career as a non-starter.
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Sources for this section
22226, 00-0026486, 1982-10-08, Kenny Onatolu, Kenny, Onatolu
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