Class of 2019 NFL Draft Spotlight: Kevin Mawae
4/22/2019
Class of 2019 NFL Draft Spotlight: Kevin Mawae
While Kevin Mawae will long be remembered for his dominance in the trenches throughout his NFL career, the impact he left in Baton Rouge is still felt to this day. Entering Louisiana State University in 1989, Mawae spent his first year as a redshirt.
His first chance to touch the field came during his redshirt freshman season in 1990, where Mawae played seven games at left tackle and as the Tigers’ long snapper. While only appearing in seven of LSU’s 11 games, Mawae earned Freshman All-SEC honors in his debut season.
Mawae’s sophomore season is when the lineman started to truly flourish, showing flashes of what we now know to be a Hall of Fame career in his future. He played three different positions throughout the Tigers’ season, starting eight games at left tackle, three at center and one at left guard. His versatility even transitioned over to the offense as Mawae saw a few snaps at tight end. His versatility and success on the field as a sophomore led to First Team All-SEC honors.
The three games Mawae played at center during his sophomore season proved to foreshadow where he would spend the majority of his NFL career.
As a junior, Mawae played solely at left tackle, becoming a bright spot in a dreadful season where the Tigers crawled to a 2-9 record. Mawae earned Second Team All-SEC honors, marking his third consecutive year on a postseason awards list.
Mawae moved to center permanently for his senior season, starting all 11 games and cementing his place as the most prominent member of LSU’s offense. While the Tigers’ 5-6 record wasn’t enough for postseason play, Mawae was named Second Team All-SEC again and Third Team All American.
1994 NFL Draft
Mawae’s four years starting in Baton Rouge had many thinking that he would be drafted in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft.
The lineman just slipped out of the first round, though, being selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 36th pick in the second round.
Other prominent members of the 1994 NFL Draft class include Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (selected 2nd overall), Willie McGinest (4th overall), Isaac Bruce (33rd overall) and Hall of Famer Larry Allen (46th overall).
See Kevin Mawae Get Enshrined in the Hall of Fame
As an LSU and NFL legend, Kevin Mawae certainly had a career worthy of the Hall of Fame. Witness the prolific offensive lineman receive his Gold Jacket and be welcomed into Canton as a member of the Class of 2019 with an Official Ticket Package from HOF Experiences. Click below to see all available package options.
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