Paul Soliai
Paul Soliai
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Paul Soliai

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Paul Soliai

Paul Fuapapa Soliai (born December 30, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He also played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers.

Soliai, of Samoan descent, attended Rancho Alamitos High School in Garden Grove, California, before moving to American Samoa for his senior year, where he attended Nu'uuli Technical High School in Pago Pago and was the team captain.

Soliai spend two seasons at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas. He was a two-time All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference offensive lineman. He earned an honorable mention All-American selection in 2002, and was a First-team junior college All-American as a sophomore in 2003.

Considered a four-star recruit out of junior college by Rivals.com, Soliai was listed as the No. 32 non-high school player in the nation.

Soliai transferred to the University of Utah in 2004 and was redshirted his first season with the Utes. He played in 12 games as a junior in 2005, with up five tackles, 1.5 of which were for a loss. He made four stops against rival Utah State, including an assisted tackle for a loss. He also had a 10-yard sack against Arizona.

In 12 games at nose guard as a senior in 2006, Soliai recorded 35 tackles (13 solo), 3.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks for 15 yards, four pass break-ups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. He earned a Second-team All-Mountain West Conference selection.

In April 2007, Soliai measured a height of 6-feet-4 and a weight of 332 pounds at his Utah Pro Day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.02 seconds and 5.12 seconds, the short shuttle in 4.53 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.77 seconds. He measured a 30½-inch vertical jump, but an elbow sprain prevented him from doing the 225-pound bench press.

Prior to the draft, Soliai was praised for his rare size, strength, quickness and athleticism, while also being criticized for his lack of technique and moves.

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