Hercules Mata'afa

• Started 1st career game in 2020 finale at Detroit (1/3/21).

• Named the 2017 AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in sacks (9.5) and TFL (21.5).

• Part of AP All-Pac 12 defensive unit in 2017 that included future Vikings teammates Troy Dye (1st-Team LB) and Cameron Smith (2nd-Team LB).

OFF THE FIELD

• One of 7 children in his family.

• Sister Gina-Bella is a water polo player at Durham University in the United Kingdom and younger sister Lalelei is an NFL Punt, Pass and Kick national champion.

• Entering 2021, changed to jersey #50, returning to his college jersey after wearing 51 previously with the Vikings.

• Started 1st career game in 2020 finale at Detroit (1/3/21).

• Named the 2017 AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in sacks (9.5) and TFL (21.5).

• Part of AP All-Pac 12 defensive unit in 2017 that included future Vikings teammates Troy Dye (1st-Team LB) and Cameron Smith (2nd-Team LB).

OFF THE FIELD

• One of 7 children in his family.

• Sister Gina-Bella is a water polo player at Durham University in the United Kingdom and younger sister Lalelei is an NFL Punt, Pass and Kick national champion.

• Entering 2021, changed to jersey #50, returning to his college jersey after wearing 51 previously with the Vikings.

PRO

• Started 1st career game at Detroit (1/3/21) in 2020 regular-season finale and notched a sack, his 1st full sack of his career.

• Did not have a sack in 2019 but ended 2020 with 2.5 sacks, all in the final 9 games of the season.

• Signed with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent on 4/30/18.

• Placed on Injured Reserve on 6/20/18 after sustaining an injury in offseason workouts.

2020: MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Started 1st game of career in regular-season finale at Detroit (1/3/21) and sacked Matthew Stafford, the 1st full sack of his career. It gave him 1.5 sacks of Stafford on the season.

• Had career-high 6 tackles vs. Chicago (12/20).

• Had 4 tackles at New Orleans (12/25).

• Shared sack of Mike Glennon with Harrison Smith vs. Jacksonville (12/6).

• Shared a sack of Nick Foles with Eric Wilson at Chicago (11/16) on Monday Night Football.

• Shared a sack of Matthew Stafford vs. Detroit (11/8) with Shamar Stephen on a 3rd-down play, his 1st career NFL sack.

• Played extensively at Green Bay (11/1) in win at Lambeau, after being elevated from practice squad for the game.

• Played in season opener vs. Green Bay (9/13), vs. Tennessee (9/27) and at Houston (10/4) as part of Vikings line rotation.

• Inactive at Seattle (10/11).

• Released leading up to game vs. Atlanta (10/18) and re-signed to Vikings practice squad.

2019: MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Appeared in 6 games during the 2019 campaign.

• Made his NFL debut vs. Atlanta (9/8) in season opener.

• Notched his 1st career FR and TFL at Green Bay (9/15).

2018: MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Placed on IR after sustaining an injury in offseason workouts.

COLLEGE

• A 3-time All-Pac-12 choice, earning 1st-Team honors as a junior in 2017, 2nd-Team as a sophomore, and honorable mention as a freshman.

• Named 2017 AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in sacks (9.5) and TFL (21.5).

• Declared for the NFL after his junior season with the Cougars.

• Appeared in 39 games, making 25 starts. Finished his career with 22.5 sacks, good for 4th in school history.

• Named to USA TODAY's Sports Freshman All-America 1st Team after leading WSU in sacks and ranking 4th in the Pac-12.

PREP

• Attended Lahainaluna High School in Hawaii.

• Rated the #4 overall prospect coming out of Hawaii.

• State finalist as a junior and senior in wrestling.