NFL CAREER – Hoomanawanui possesses the versatility to provide support in both the running game and passing game. He originally joined New Orleans in Week Four of the 2015 season from the New England Patriots and has appeared in 26 regular season games with 18 starts for the Black and Gold, recording 17 receptions for 128 yards and four touchdowns. In 2018, Hoomanawanui will compete for playing time after played in 14 games with 10 starts in 2017, making six grabs for 52 yards and one touchdown, while serving as an asset in the club's fifth-ranked running game. Overall, in his career, he has appeared in 87 regular season games with 57 starts, making 57 receptions for 646 yards with eight scoring grabs.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Placed on Injured Reserve by the Saints, 9/3/16; Re-signed, 3/10/16; Acquired by Saints from New England, 9/30/15; Re-signed by Patriots to two-year contract, 3/12/14; Re-signed by Patriots to one-year contract, 4/15/13; Signed by Patriots to one-year contract, 9/5/12; Released by Rams, 9/2/12; Signed by Rams to four-year contract, 6/26/10; Selected by St. Louis in fifth round (132nd overall) of 2010 NFL Draft.
2017 – Played in 14 regular season games with ten starts and finished with six receptions for 52 yards with one touchdown…Vs. Detroit, Oct. 15, had two receptions for 25 yards, including a season-long 25-yard grab, his longest as a Saint and a two-yard touchdown. Played in both postseason contests with one start and recorded no statistics. 2016 – Spent entire season on Injured Reserve. 2015 – Started the season as a member of the Patriots, appearing in each of their first two contests. Acquired by New Orleans through a trade on Sept. 30, and appeared in 12 games on the season for the Saints, including eight starts. Finished the 2015 campaign with 76 receiving yards and three TD receptions on 11 catches…Played in Patriots season opener vs. Pittsburgh, Sept. 10, seeing time as blocking tight end in heavy packages…Played and saw time primarily on run downs in second game with Patriots at Buffalo, Sept. 20…After being declared inactive for their week three matchup vs. Jacksonville, Sept. 27, traded to New Orleans in exchange for DE Akiem Hicks…Declared inactive vs. Dallas, Oct. 4…Caught a career-high five passes for 31 yards, with a touchdown at Indianapolis, Oct. 25. The touchdown, his first as a Saint, made him the 53rd player to catch a TD from QB Drew Brees and the 38th Saint to catch one from the signal-caller…Started in a two-TE set and had a one-yard TD grab vs. Tennessee, Nov. 8…Made the start as second TE, making a season-long 19-yard reception vs. Carolina, Dec. 6…Started in a two-TE set and saw action on special teams vs. Detroit, Dec. 21. Had a rush for 0 yards, his first career carry and returned a kickoff for 16 yards…Caught one 17-yard TD vs. Jacksonville, Dec. 27…Started in a two-TE set and caught a pass for a four-yard gain in team's season finale at Atlanta, 1/3/16. 2014 – Played in all 16 regular-season games with 12 starts for New England and caught three passes for 44 yards (14.7 avg.)...Played in all three postseason games with two starts and totaled six grabs for 53 yards. 2013 – Played in 13 games with ten starts for New England and caught 12 passes for 136 yards and a TD. Started both playoff contests and caught three passes for 39 yards...Had career-high 57 yards on four receptions (14.3 avg.) vs. New Orleans, Oct. 13. 19-yard gain to convert a third-and-18 in the second quarter was his longest of season...Started in AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Indianapolis, 1/11/14 and caught first career postseason pass for six yards. 2012 – Played in 14 games with six starts for Patriots, finishing with five receptions for 109 yards (21.8 avg.). Also appeared in backfield at fullback in short yardage. Went to training camp with the St. Louis Rams and signed by Patriots at end of preseason. Played in both postseason games, starting one. 2011 – Started eight games and recorded seven catches for 83 yards (11.9 avg.) and three TDs for the Rams. Limited to just eight games due to various injuries. 2010 – Played in eight games with three starts and recorded 13 catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns for St. Louis. Limited to just eight games due to various injuries...Posted four catches for 44 yards with one touchdown vs. Atlanta, Nov. 21. Also caught touchdowns at Tampa Bay, Oct. 24 and at Denver, Nov. 28.
COLLEGE – Played in 38 games at Illinois...Enjoyed his most prolific season as a junior in 2008, when he finished with 25 catches for 312 yards with two touchdowns, as he earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors (conference media and coaches)...Graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism with a Sport Management concentration.
PERSONAL – A first-team All-State at TE at Central Catholic (Bloomington, Ill.) HS and also lettered in basketball first three years…Inducted into school's Athletic Hall of Fame...Father played football at Illinois State...Hoomanawanui is a Hawaiian word which means, 'to be patient'…Active in the community in New Orleans as well as in his hometown where he's participated in events supporting Special Olympics and anti-bullying initiatives…In 2016, visited with troops and their families at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss…Served as an honorary coach and official starter of the opening ceremonies for the 2017 Special Olympics Louisiana State Games at Southeastern Louisiana University…In 2017, wore cleats recognizing Special Olympics for the club's "My Cause, My Cleats" game in Week 13 vs. Carolina.
