Ronley Lakalaka
Linebacker
San Diego State
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Ronley Lakalaka: I am 6 feet, 235, with a 40 time of 4.73.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Ronley Lakalaka: I am currently training at Activ8 Athleticism: Sports Performance Training Center in Carlsbad, which is a half an hour from San Diego State University.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in
you?
Ronley Lakalaka: Aside from San Diego State, I got interests from the University of Hawaii and the University of California-Berkley.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose San Diego State?
Ronley Lakalaka: I chose San Diego State because they were the only school that had offered me a full scholarship. I felt wanted from the coaches and players who preach about how they take about business with a blue-collar mindset. As well as having weather that is very similar to the weather back home in Hawaii. Lastly, San Diego State is one of the top universities in California. Now I couldn’t deny that.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Ronley Lakalaka: My strengths are my instincts on knowing where the play is going to go, my high IQ from watching film and knowing the other teams tendencies, and winning my one on one battles whether I’m going against offensive lineman, running backs, slots or tight ends.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Ronley Lakalaka: The areas I am trying to improve on is my hip mobility, flexibility and explosiveness.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Ronley Lakalaka: My overall career has been great. I played significant snaps on special teams and on defense my true freshman year. My sophomore year, I was able to win the starting job and never looked back. Since then, I was top 2 in tackles each year.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Ronley Lakalaka: The highlight of my career was winning the Mountain West Championship with a total of 10 tackles and a sack.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of?
Ronley Lakalaka: My biggest accomplishment in college I’m most proud of is being named team captain my senior year and being the most inspirational player for our team. Those meant a lot to me because I was voted by my teammates who I would sacrifice anything for.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall experience at the 2019
Tropical Bowl all-star game?
Ronley Lakalaka: My overall experience at the 2019 Tropical Bowl all-star game was eye-popping because of the beautiful scenery of Daytona Beach, and the top-notch competition I was able to play with and against every day.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest thing that you will took away from that all-star weekend?
Ronley Lakalaka: The biggest thing that I took away from the all-star weekend was the camaraderie and connections amongst my teammates there that I’ve created within the three days. As well as the competitive nature of players from other Division I players from non-Power 5 and Division II college players who were hungry.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Ronley Lakalaka: Their passion to win. No matter where you came from, they played the best players in order for us to win the game and that’s what we did.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Ronley Lakalaka: My favorite NFL team is the Philadelphia Eagles. I loved watching Brian Dawkins run through someone whenever he had the chance.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Ronley Lakalaka: My favorite NFL player is Bobby Wagner because of his work ethic, leadership and his ability to tackle. However, my all-time favorite player is Troy Polamalu because of the Polynesian culture, playmaking abilities and leadership he displayed.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a LB?
Ronley Lakalaka: The most important trait for a LB is the ability to lead the defense in play-calling and to be the “meanest son of a gun” on the field.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?
Ronley Lakalaka: Before the ball is snapped, I’m looking at the tendencies the offense gives me by their play formation, personnel, wide receiver distributions, is the QB under center or in the gun, where is the back offset or is he in the home position, and also reading the body language of the offensive line if I can read run or pass better from how they get ready.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Ronley Lakalaka: The player I’d keep an eye on is safety Tariq Thompson, quarterback Ryan Agnew and my younger brother at linebacker Seyddrick Lakalaka.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Ronley Lakalaka: The toughest player I’ve faced would have to be Fresno State’s offensive lineman Netane Muti, he’s from Hawaii.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Ronley Lakalaka: I enjoy the lifetime bonds I create with my teammates from training and practicing year in and year out.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Ronley Lakalaka: My definition of a leader is a person who wins the locker room and gives his best effort in every practice and play he’s in.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Ronley Lakalaka: I love to read on my own, surf and hike.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Ronley Lakalaka: After football is over, I’d want to get my masters and become a lawyer. Also, maybe become a politician one day like Mufi Hanneman in Honolulu and work for the business of tourism.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Ronley Lakalaka: Diligent, hard-working, a team player, motivated and honest.
