Greg Salas was drafted by the Rams in the 4th round, Kealoha Pilares by the Panthers in the 5th round

About being drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 4th round, Greg Salas said:
"Awesome. I knew there would be some receivers going in the fourth round. I knew I would be one of them. I'm ecstatic right now, really happy." (HSA)


About being drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick of the 5th round, Kealoha Pilares said:
"It's exciting. I'm so thankful for the opportunity. Not so many people get to be drafted. I'm definitely grateful." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Salas was the 112th selection. Last year's corresponding selection — running back Joe McKnight, by the New York Jets — signed a four-year contract that included a signing bonus of $572,000. Pilares' 2010 corresponding pick — tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, by the Rams, at No. 132 — received a signing bonus of $215,512. In standard NFL contracts, only the signing bonuses are guaranteed."


Asked what he will do with his first paycheck, Salas said:
"Bank it, probably." (HSA)


About his son Greg being drafted, Mark Salas referred to Greg's hard work and said:
"Justification. The Rams are getting a motivated player. Greg treats every play like it's his last down. He's always worked hard." (HSA


Praising Salas during ESPN's telecast of the NFL draft, Trent Dilfer said:
"The one thing about Salas is he's a guy you can trust. We talk height, weight, speed, get-open separation. Quarterbacks want guys they can trust. You can trust Greg Salas." (HSA)


About how the Rams had indicated that they would draft Salas in the 3rd round but took Boise State WR Austin Pettis instead, his Mom Teri said:
"It was a bummer because we thought he would be picked there." (HSA)


HSA Note: "The gathering was rescheduled for yesterday. Although the ESPN telecast would not start until 9 a.m. Pacific time, some family members begin showing up at the Salas house at 3 a.m."


About getting a call on his cell phone after the first 14 picks of the 4th round, Greg Salas said:
"The (Rams') general manager called me. I didn't know if they were going to pick a receiver, because they picked one the round before. I was happy my phone was ringing, and the wait was over." (HSA)


Rams GM Billy Devaney told Salas:
"We're going to make you a St. Louis Ram. Would that be OK?" (HSA)


About what happened when he told his family about the call, Greg Salas said:
"Everybody was screaming. Mom was crying. My dad was happy. He's a huge Rams fan." (HSA)


Thanking the rest of the Warriors program, Salas said:
"I want to thank everyone in Hawaii — Kealoha, Mo (quarterback Bryant Moniz), the linemen, the other receivers, the coaches." (HSA)


About how Hawaii will always be an important place in their family, Mark Salas (who went with his wife on Greg's UH recruiting trip in January 2006) said:
"Hawaii will always be special to our family. It's very special to Greg. Hawaii won't be our last destination. Hawaii will always be our first destination." (HSA)


About how he came back from his partially torn PCL in his left knee to impress scouts at UH's Pro Day, Kealoha Pilares said:
"After I got hurt, there was a little doubt. I met some great people on the way who really gave me some positive energy. They made me look at my injury in a totally different way." (HSA)


About how Dave Austin (Shane Austin's father who is a motivation counselor who works with several pro athletes) helped him, Pilares said:
"He helped me get through it. In life, you're going to face adversity. That's exactly what it was." (HSA)


HSA Note: 'Pilares was the state's Offensive Player of the Year in 2005. He signed an agreement to attend the Air Force Academy. But after a few weeks at the prep academy, he requested a leave. He then contacted UH coach Rich Miano."


About how Rich Miano helped him transfer to UH to walk-on, Pilares said:
"He really helped me out. If it weren't for that guy, I don't know if I would have been at the University of Hawaii." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Pilares paid his way during the fall 2006 semester, then went on scholarship in January 2007."


About how playing RB in 2007 and wideout in 2009 after Rodney Bradley got hurt helped him as a slotback last season, Pilares said:
"Playing wideout helped me out with the coverages when I went back to slotback as a senior. Being a running back helped me with the blocking. It's been a full circle. It's weird how things worked out. But in the end, they worked out." (HSA)

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