Tampa Bay picks Iosefa in Round 7

Former University of Hawaii running back Joey Iosefa checked off a longtime goal on his wish list when he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round Saturday at the NFL Draft.

Former UH center Kody Afusia received an invitation to the Arizona Cardinals’ mini-camp next weekend.

"Once you start playing football, everyone’s dream is to play in the NFL," Iosefa said. "My goal was to play college (football). Now that I’m done with college, my goal was to play in the NFL. I’m always trying to set goals. Now I have to stay as long as I can."

Agent Aaron Gordon said Iosefa will sign the NFL’s basic four-year contract. Only the signing bonus is guaranteed. Last year’s 231st draft selection — defensive end Ben Gardner by the Dallas Cowboys — received a signing bonus of $59,172.

Iosefa who is 6 feet and 242 pounds, was told he will compete at running back, fullback, H-back and tight end.

In February, Iosefa was the 30th — and final — running back invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Iosefa led all backs by bench-pressing 225 pounds 30 times. Iosefa’s personal best is a 455-pound bench.

Because of the late invitation, Iosefa did not have enough time to train for the 40-yard dash. He said he was still recovering from various ailments from the season. At the combine, he was timed at 5.02 seconds in the 40.

"I didn’t think I would run a fast 40 at the combine," Iosefa said. "My body was still recovering from injuries. I didn’t have my explosiveness when I was training. I could tell it was coming back. Training for the pro day meant a lot. It gave me more time to prepare."

At UH’s pro day on the San Diego State soccer field, Iosefa was timed between 4.71 seconds and 4.81 seconds in the 40. Scouts indicated that Iosefa could be used in the slot in special situations.

Afusia, meanwhile, is hoping to parlay the mini-camp workout into a free-agent contract.

"I don’t mind working for it," Afusia said.