Former University of Hawaii football player Vaughn Meatoga was preparing for the rest of his life when he received an unexpected opportunity on Sunday.

Meatoga accepted an invitation to participate in the Cleveland Browns’ mini-camp this weekend.

"It’s just a tryout," Meatoga said. "But you never know. This is my last go-around. If I don’t make it, I’m going to find a regular 9-to-5 job."

Meatoga, a Kamehameha Schools graduate who completed his UH eligibility at the end of the 2011 season, was not selected in the NFL’s 2012 draft. Still, he had stints with the Washington Redskins, Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks that year.

In 2013, he was in the Bengals’ training camp and, later, received an offer to play in the B.C. Lions’ final two games of their Canadian Football League season. He could not accept that offer because he did not have a passport. But he signed a futures contract with B.C.

Meatoga trained under Chad Ikei in Manoa since January. But on May 6, defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell re-signed with B.C. after spending a season in Toronto. Meatoga was told his contract would be canceled.

"It was like, ‘Oh, shoot, I think I’m done,’ " Meatoga recalled thinking.

But on Saturday, Meatoga received a call from Tony Tuioti, a former UH defensive tackle, recruiting coordinator and assistant coach. Tuioti, whose UH contract was not extended this year, is now a quality-control coach with the Browns.

Tuioti extended the invitation on Sunday.

"I can’t let him down," Meatoga said of Tuioti. "He got me this. This (opportunity) is all I can ask for."

Meatoga endured ailments and injuries during his previous NFL stints. This time, he said, he is fully healthy. At 6 feet 1, Meatoga said his weight fluctuates between 290 and 295 "depending on what I eat."

Meatoga said he will receive the itinerary today. The mini-camp begins on Friday.

"I’m grateful for this chance," he said.