Around 4 p.m. in Hawaii, received a phone call from a number that he did not recognize and turned to his agent to ask if he should answer.
The agent had no hesitation, telling Fuaga that of course he should pick up the phone. After all, the New Orleans Saints were calling with the intention of making him the 14th overall pick in the NFL Draft. In a house surrounded by what he estimated had 100 family members, Fuaga answered the call, and had a dream come true in the process.
The Saints came into Thursday’s first round with a clear priority of landing a top offensive tackle and they believe they did that by taking Fuaga – a 6-foot-6, 324-pound tackle who prides himself on being a “nasty” player who was able to use his freakish athleticism and brute strength to overpower opposing linemen.
A two-year starter at Oregon State, Fuaga became known for not allowing a sack during his college career. Last fall, the 22-year-old put together a stellar campaign that resulted him being named first-team All-American and first-team All-Pac 12.
“The Saints, it was kind of surprising,” Fuaga said. “I didn’t expect it, but I’m glad they picked me up because I have a lot of family members that are fans. This is just a blessing for me.”
In New Orleans, Fuaga could potentially play either tackle spot – and the Saints have question marks at both. Former starting left tackle Andrus Peat is a free agent, while longtime right tackle Ryan Ramczyk may not play next season because of a knee injury. Fuaga played right tackle at Oregon State, but said he spent part of the pre-draft process working on playing left tackle.
Despite being personally surprised at the selection, Fuaga was linked to the Saints throughout the draft process. New Orleans got to see him up close in February at the Senior Bowl where he was named the National team’s top offensive tackle during practice. And it was at the NFL Scouting Combine where coach Dennis Allen said he "fell in love" with Fuaga.
"I didn't feel like this player was sitting in front of me, trying to sell me something that he wasn't," said Allen, who noted Fuaga could be a "culture builder" because of his personality. "I felt a genuine person. ... When I take that, and I put on the tape and watch him play and the way that he plays ... I thought it was a pretty good fit."
Schematically, Fuaga appears to fit what New Orleans wanted in a tackle. This offseason, the Saints hired offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak – who is known for a zone-based running attack. Fuaga said the wide zone was Oregon State’s “bread and butter,” adding that he was proud of how he grew as a run blocker in college.
Fuaga’s blocking technique, too, drew praise from analysts. The NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called Fuaga a “really, really clean” prospect who used his quick feet to his advantage. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote that Fuaga was a “people mover” who could be a plug-and-play starter.
Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said the pick was a “slam dunk,” predicting Fuaga would be a Day 1 starter.
“He’s a bully,” Nagy said.
Asked how he worked on becoming a “nasty” player, Fuaga cited one of his favorite movies.
“You guys ever watch ‘Waterboy?’ Fuaga asked, referencing the 1998 Adam Sandler flick. “You imagine this guy is talking about my mom, talking about my brothers.”
Fuaga’s spot in the NFL, however, is yet to be determined. Though he played right tackle, scouts have wondered if he’s better suited to kick inside to guard because of his shorter length with 33-inch arms. Allen said the Saints see him more as a tackle rather than guard, though declined to say which tackle spot on the line that Fuaga will line up.
This year’s draft appeared to align almost perfectly with the Saints’ needs. Analysts and team executives routinely praised this class of offensive tackle prospects, often saying the position was a strength of the draft. ESPN’s Jordan Reid, for example, said he believed the number of tackles taken in the first round could surpass the record seven that was set in 2008.
The pre-draft chatter turned out to be true — and the Saints might have had to sweat out whether their tackle of choice would be available.
The Los Angeles Chargers kicked off the run earlier than expected when they passed up a wide receiver and instead selected Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt at No. 5. With Alt –the top rated tackle -- gone, Tennessee pivoted to take Alabama’s J.C. Latham. At No. 11, the Jets took Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, the tackle perhaps most thought to be a Saints target.
But after Fashanu, it became increasingly clear that at least one highly rated tackle would be available to New Orleans. The Broncos took Oregon quarterback Bo Nix at No. 12 — Nix was one of six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks — while the Las Vegas Raiders took Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.
"You do get a little bit nervous, but there were some good players on the board," Allen said. "Did I go into thinking, 'Hey, there's a good chance we take a tackle at 14 and would feel really good about it? Yes. But did I feel like we had to take a tackle or else? No because there were some really good players (still available)."
That led the Saints to Fuaga, a prospect whose athleticism also matches what the Saints often look for in tackles. Fuaga posted impressive testing numbers in the pre-draft process, registering a 32-inch vertical jump and a 111-inch broad jump. He posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.63, among the best at his position.
Allen said the Saints rejected offers to trade down from No. 14, adding there was no need to "screw around" when the Saints were on the clock.
"You got the guy you like, it's a position of need, let's (not) overthink this," Allen said.
Growing up in Tacoma, Washington, Fuaga said he’s never been to Louisiana before. The closest connection he had to the area, he said, was that some of his family members ended up becoming Saints fans and that he got to know LSU’s Brian Thomas after training together before the draft. The two bonded over playing ‘Call of Duty’ together.
But speaking to reporters remotely, Fuaga sounded excited to get started – and begin a journey that he and the Saints hope creates a legacy.
“My thing is that I wasn't about the money,” Fuaga said. I'm trying to carry my last name to the very top. Fuaga, I don't think anybody has met another Fuaga that has come to the league. Just being able to carry my family's name up there is a big thing for us. It's just a blessing, and I want to be able to take it higher than you can ever get.”